A Derby company is investing almost £2m to create a self storage facility in Long Eaton, the first in the town.

BE Webbe has bought two adjoining premises, Ashley House, and Derwent House, on Wilsthorpe Road which are being transformed.

Both premises had been empty for several months, but will now have a new lease of life because of the increasingly popular trend for self storage.

Extensive works are required to both buildings and refurbishing and fitting-out costs will be in the region of £1.2m on top of the purchase costs.

This will include a new roof and creating a second floor. The building will house 46,000 sq ft of economical self storage in self-contained steel units ranging from 20 sq ft to 400 sq ft.

The new centre is set to be open by April next year.

The buildings, close to Derwent Street industrial estate, are within close access of the A52 and junction 25 of the M1.

BE Webbe, one of the first companies in Derby to introduce self storage already has a facility on the Racecourse Industrial Park in Alfreton Road, and another at The Maltings on the Wetmore Road industrial estate off Wharf Road in Burton.

Director Richard Blount said: “We have been aware for some time of the need for self storage in Long Eaton and we are delighted to have found these suitable premises. This facility will be of use to local firms as well as the general public and we look forward to opening.”

The units could be used to store items ranging from furniture to garage and garden equipment, archive files and general goods.

Refurbishment work will be carried out by Webbe’s sister company Kinsey (Midlands).