‘The Pencil Works’ Enterprise Hub Building

‘The Pencil Works’ Enterprise Hub 

We are creating a central focus through a new building, called the Pencil Works, offering high-quality facilities to support the town aims of becoming a great place to visit, work and do business. 

The building is projected to create 50 jobs and 1,000 square meters of new retail, leisure and office space.

Plans include:  

• Creative makers’ space for specialist craftspeople and artists  
• Retail units including for food/drinks outlets  
• Public toilets (relocated from Cliffe Hill)  
• Disabled parking and bicycle storage  
• Flexible office space for small businesses  

Work is likely to start in May 2025 with completion around 12 months later.

The architect’s visualisations are subject to change as plans develop over the coming months in partnership with local people.

A drop-in event took place on Monday 28 October for local people to meet the team and ask questions.   

The plans can be viewed online - search for application 24/00669/REG3 – Planning Application Pencil works – Planning Application Portal (opens in a new window).

The inspiration for the name 'The Pencil Works' has been taken from Stapleford’s historic F. Chambers & Company Limited Pencil Works factory which resided on Broad Oak Drive from 1915 until 1973. The company was the first to manufacture cosmetic pencils for Boots in 1931. While they sold their business in the 1990s, the Chambers’ family still produce pencils in Stapleford. 

Derby Road Central Car Park

As part of the Pencil Works development, a new car park has been created at 131 Derby Road that has replaced the current Victoria Street car park.

Forty-four spaces have been transferred, with the addition of six disabled car parking bays, plus EV charging spots which are coming soon.