Why we invested in Derby – Cavendish & London Property Group

For many years now, Cavendish & London Property Group has been breathing new life into existing buildings in Derby city centre to create high quality commercial space and luxurious apartments. Managing director Atish Parmar confesses that the firm’s first project in the city was a “gamble” – but here, in his own words, he explains why investing in Derby is now definitely a chance worth taking.

A question I am asked on many occasions is ‘Why do you invest in Derby?’.

I’ll be upfront and tell you. In all honesty, we took a gamble on our first project in Derby because we saw its potential and could envision the possibilities.

Curzon Street featured a row of run-down, dilapidated properties that desperately needed revitalising.

We believed we had the potential to breathe new life into the building, attract fresh footfall and aesthetically enhance the street.

In less than four months, we transformed it into a luxury 18-bedroom HMO scheme with a parking area to the rear, which is currently operated by NCP for public use.

While this project was underway, we learned of promising developments in the city centre, which led to us purchasing another property on Wardwick.

We transformed a retail unit with dilapidated upper floors – adding a seven-bedroom scheme, with a new retailer occupying the ground floor.

After becoming a Marketing Derby Bondholder, the optimism grew, driving us to participate in key projects such as the Becketwell regeneration, the Nightingale Quarter developments and also the new business school for the University of Derby (I might add, having a name like ‘The Cavendish Building’ was a great concept!).

We realised that if major developers like St James Securities and Wavensmere Homes were actively pursuing larger projects it would be a good opportunity for us to expand our investment in Derby and offer commercial and residential development projects across the East Midlands.

Plus, I believe the people of Derby are wonderful and a pleasure to work with and deserve investment in their home city – not to mention, that I’m also married to a Derbeian!

We aim to offer the recipient with prominently located properties that offer high-end finishes and all desired amenities.

There is currently a lack of quality residential space for professionals who want to live in the city.

We feel the time is right for Derby to experience thriving streets morning, noon and night.

To encourage this, we need a broad range of offerings, including good accommodation and leisure facilities.

This will inevitably encourage locals back to the city centre, as well as attract visitors from nearby cities like Nottingham and Leicester who are looking for something unique.

We have recently acquired another property in St James’s Street.

Our plan is to secure a tenant on the ground floor to provide a facility for the footfall that Becketwell Live will bring.

The Q3 event roster already features big names like John Bishop, Wet Wet Wet and Tim Peake, proving that demand is there for this area to be the hub for leisure.

We want to ensure that Cavendish & London Property Group plays its part in this exciting period for Derby city centre.

Additionally, we have invested in Sadler Gate and hope to offer six residential units by summer of 2025, contributing to the positive impact that other landlords are making on the street.

Looking ahead, our plans for Cavendish & London include acquiring more sites across Derby city centre.

We are actively reaching out to commercial agents and landlords in search of new opportunities.

Having taken a chance on Derby, we now feel that we are contributing a small but significant way to the city’s positive change and regeneration – and we are looking forward to what 2025 will bring.