The Eastwood Funeral Partnership is an Independent Family Concern which can trace its origins back to 1867. An original business card, which is on display at our Eastwood office, shows that in 1867, the Leivers family started the ‘Star Livery Stables’ in Victoria Street, Eastwood, next to what was to become the birthplace of the author DH Lawrence.

By the 1970’s, the business had progressed from supplying vehicles to local ‘Undertakers’ to providing a complete Funeral Service, and was renamed Eastwood and District Funeral Service. In 1983, the business moved to its current location on Nottingham Road.

Staplefords Funeral Service, established in 1986, was the Partnership’s first branch office.  Originally at Carrara House on Cemetery Road in Stapleford, it was managed by Stuart Edwards until his retirement in 1998. In 1997, the business moved to the current much larger premises on Derby Road in Stapleford. This has recently been renamed Gillotts Funeral Service to reflect the funeral home’s reputation throughout a much wider area, and to strengthen our identity as an independent family business.

In 1992, Jack Gillott, of Gillotts Funeral Service, a long-established family business in Heanor, decided it was time to retire, and the Partnership purchased the business, which operates at Abbott Street, Heanor. Anthony Topley, Jack’s Son-in-Law, who had been in Partnership with Jack since 1986, joined the Eastwood Partnership. The original property was demolished, and purpose-designed premises were built to provide modern, high-quality facilities.

In 1997, the Partnership took over the Kimberley Funeral Service premises at 35 Main Street, Kimberley. Whilst the premises are small in comparison to the other three branches, they provide a comforting atmosphere, and have allowed the Partnership to extend the Services provided to families in the Kimberley, Nuthall and Watnall areas.

The business now has four partners; Barry and Elaine Hutsby, their daughter Joanne, and Anthony Topley, who are assisted by qualified Funeral Directors Alan Winfield, Sam Castledine and Helen Ellis.

The present format of the business that was once Star Livery Stables is very different to what it was only a generation ago. Whilst the business as a whole has grown, each branch remains small enough to ensure that each one of its Clients receives its full attention, to be sure that their needs are both anticipated and met.