People and businesses who want to use the new Maker Space in Ashfield — or could help its development — are being urged to come forward.

Renovation work is progressing well at the former DWP building on High Pavement, Sutton, which will house the office, creative, and education facility from spring next year.

Now Ashfield District Council is looking for people who would be interested in using the space to come forward.

The Maker Space will be the only facility of its kind in Nottinghamshire outside of Nottingham city centre, thanks to money from the Future High Streets Fund for regenerating Sutton town centre.

The ground floor will be used for Maker Space, a place for like-minded people to meet and share their love of creating, crafting, making, and inventing, while accessing machines and skills to help their projects come to life.

The council is also putting together a network of businesses and skilled people that would like to help get the project off the ground. Skills and interests required are textiles, wood working, metal working, Cad/Cam, computing, and 3D printing.

Robert Docherty, director of Place and Communities at the council, said “As work progresses, we are now looking for potential users of the space, which will give new purpose and energy to this prominent building in Sutton.

“The new Maker Space and business hub will be an incredible asset to residents of Sutton and the whole of the district.

“The Maker Space will provide a fantastic space that gives people the opportunity to gain valuable new skills and enjoy the pleasure of making things.

“This is just one of the many exciting projects that we are developing through the Future High Streets and Towns Fund programme, which is worth over £70m.”

Anyone interested in finding out more about the plans, or helping and donating time or equipment, should contact [email protected].”