logo
Derby city centre revamp scheme set to be completed by summer

Derby city centre revamp scheme set to be completed by summer

BBC News01-05-2025
A project to revamp part of Derby city centre with a new outdoor space, playground and climbing feature is expected to be completed this summer, developers have said.Shopping centre Derbion is leading the scheme to redevelop the space where the former Castle and Falcon pub stood, which will see a new facade, urban garden, planting and benches added.The project is being funded in part by Derby City Council through the government's Future High Streets Fund with additional funds from Derbion.Beth McDonald, managing director for the shopping centre, said the scheme would enhance the "vibrancy and attractiveness" of the city centre.
'Exciting vision'
Leaders also hope to attract additional family-friendly activities and pop-up food stalls once the area has fully opened.In addition, planning is in progress for a large-format advertising wall, with installation expected in the autumn or winter if approved.Ms McDonald said: "The Eastern Gateway project forms part of an exciting vision for Derbion, contributing further to the vibrancy and attractiveness of the city centre."With development now in its final phase, we're looking forward to seeing the transformative impact that this project has in providing a new, welcoming and inclusive space for visitors."Derby City Council was awarded £15m through the government's Future High Streets Fund to support the development of the city centre, with £3m allocated to the Eastern Gateway project. Derbion has funded a further £1m towards the development.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Is Derby's new Market Hall a 'disappointment'?
Is Derby's new Market Hall a 'disappointment'?

BBC News

time4 days ago

  • BBC News

Is Derby's new Market Hall a 'disappointment'?

It was met with excitement from traders when it reopened in May - but two months on, is it a different story for Derby's new Market Hall?More than 34,000 people visited the indoor market in its first three days, but some businesses have told the BBC footfall had since "dropped off a cliff".Dawn Smith, 72, who works at Preloved, said: "It's been absolutely dire. Since the Market Hall opened, they didn't think it out."A spokesperson for Derby City Council said footfall had recently improved and that a "new wave of traders" would be announced in the coming weeks. Steve Hassall, leader of Derby Conservatives, told BBC Radio Derby: "It's a beautiful building, it's been very tastefully done. I don't think it has the draw that it needs at the moment."It is not achieving its ability and its potential. I've been in several times. I have to say it's been fairly quiet."Ms Smith added: "It's down to the council. Marketing was absolutely dire."Some traders said the market needed time to develop, but others - and some customers - felt it lacked the atmosphere of a traditional market. One trader said that after the opening weekend, footfall had "dropped off a cliff".The owners of Layer UK, which occupied a unit, posted a video on Facebook explaining that they had decided to post read: "It was sudden, but it was the right thing for us and for Layer. The truth is, our goals just didn't align with the Market Hall — and that's okay."Val, 68, and Mike, 72, visited with their grandson, but said they would not come back anytime said: "This is our first visit and I'm very disappointed in it. It's lacking, there's hardly anybody there. The play area for the children is good. But it's disappointing."Val added: "I was very disappointed. I expected it to be bustling with lots of different stalls and there's very few people in there. "We've waited all this time for it to reopen and it's a damp squib. It's just a lot of unused space and I feel sorry for the traders." Lucas Rayner, 28, who works at SHIO, said: "The footfall could be better. Us ourselves are managing to just about stay busy enough."Darren Ward, 59, who runs DC Designs, added: "Some days it's good, but 80% of the time it's not that good."People are coming in to drink a coffee and ask the same question all the time, 'it's a market hall, where's the fruit and veg? Where's the haberdashery?'"I thought it would be better than this, but it's early days, and you've got to keep on going through it."A spokesperson for Derby City Council said: "The recent opening of The Spirit Run Distillery & Bar is having a positive impact on the footfall, as have Dreamfest, and a host of live performances and workshops."We are close to announcing an exciting new wave of traders in the coming weeks, some of which cater for a more traditional market offer."The council added that the completion of Osnabruck Square would offer a "vibrant green space" for customers.

Shops plan approved for former Normanton Road Gospel Hall
Shops plan approved for former Normanton Road Gospel Hall

BBC News

time23-07-2025

  • BBC News

Shops plan approved for former Normanton Road Gospel Hall

Plans to convert a former gospel hall in Derby into six shops have been given the go-ahead in a bid to "breathe new life" into the City Council has approved proposals to redevelop the Normanton Road Gospel Hall site, which has stood empty for more than four years, according to planning included with a planning application said the existing building had deteriorated over the past four years due to a lack of use and said the proposals would transform the site into a "modern, vibrant commercial space" and "enhance the economy activity" in the area. A report submitted to the council said: "The building is no longer actively serving its intended purpose, and its continued vacancy poses a risk of urban decay."The proposed conversion into six retail shops will breathe new life into the site, improve economic activity, and provide modern, accessible, and sustainable commercial spaces."

Stockton Council 'does not want' Shambles businesses to close
Stockton Council 'does not want' Shambles businesses to close

BBC News

time15-07-2025

  • BBC News

Stockton Council 'does not want' Shambles businesses to close

A council chief says he does not want "any businesses to close" if a redevelopment of a 19th Century market hall is Borough councillor Richard Eglington has said tenants of the Stockton Shambles have had "the first of many opportunities" to get clarity and advice from comes after businesses received a letter telling them of plans to "market the Shambles as a food and beverage opportunity and to lease the entire building".They were told no decisions had been made yet, but if approved, they would have to move. Shop owners previously told the Local Democracy Reporting Service they felt "stuck in limbo" and spoke of their worries about moving the businesses they had built up in the community, with some saying they might have to close altogether if the plans went MPs have responded to the proposals, which will be discussed by council leaders on Thursday. Conservative MP Matt Vickers said "local traders deserve better" and accused the council of "betraying hard-working business owners at The Shambles".Chris McDonald, Labour MP for Stockton North, said the council "must commit" to finding all Shambles traders an affordable, appropriate and accessible new home in the immediate High Street area. 'No decision made' Sharing the speech he will give at Thursday's cabinet meeting, Eglington, cabinet member for regeneration and housing, said the Shambles was a "loved and cherished" Grade II listed building and there were no plans to knock it down."When developing the Central Stockton and North Thornaby Blueprint, The Shambles were identified as an opportunity to develop a food and beverage offering. "It was clear from conversations with interested parties that the whole building would be needed for the proposal to work."Eglington said that current tenants would need to move out if the proposal was approved."No decision has been made, and it will not be made until the cabinet vote on the proposals but if approved the council would need vacant possession."He said "letters outlining the proposals and not eviction notices have been sent to the tenants, and a meeting was offered the next day". "To be clear this is the first of many opportunities that the tenants have to speak to the officers and to get advice and clarity."He said that the council would continue to offer meetings and support to all current tenants."We don't want any businesses to close, and we hope that with the support of the business development team that the businesses will grow and develop further."He added the aim of the redevelopment was to increase footfall in Stockton. Follow BBC Tees on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store