No final agreement has been made at this stage, but the Council is in discussions with Derbyshire County Council regarding the potential for it to become a tenant of The Grammar.
The Council’s priority has always been to bring The Grammar back into use and secure a long-term, sustainable future for this important local landmark.
The Council’s original Future High Streets funding bid of over £12.4 million included the Heanor Hub project, which was intended to see the restoration of the listed Grammar School building (The Grammar), for a mixture of business and community use, as well as the demolition of the former Science Block to be repurposed with new facilities such as a cinema and restaurants. The Council’s bid was only partially successful, and it was awarded £8.6 million, with a further £1.2 million committed by the Council. As a result, the original proposals had to be scaled back, with the restoration of The Grammar being the priority.
If agreed, a county council tenancy will ensure that additional jobs will be established within Heanor Town Centre, which will bring valuable footfall, new visitors, and increased support for local businesses. The proposals will also secure long term community use of the historic main hall and associated facilities every evening and throughout weekends.
Amber Valley Borough Council would retain ownership of The Grammar, and the proposed tenancy would ensure the building remains active, occupied, and maintained.
The Council also remains committed to the completion of the wider project and has recently secured funding to commission a feasibility study for the former Science Block, which is intended to lead to further funding bids to deliver the full Future High Streets vision for Heanor Town Centre.
As part of the democratic process, the decision on the letting of The Grammar is now subject to further review and will be considered by the council’s Improvement and Scrutiny Committee on 12 August 2025. The call-in process pauses implementation of the decision while the committee reviews the matter.
Contact the team directly on 01773 570222 or email communications@ambervalley.gov.uk
