New city centre offices prospectus launched at MIPIM

A new prospectus showcasing office opportunities within Derby city centre has been launched to an international audience.

Yesterday, inside the UK Hub at MIPIM, the global property fair taking place at Cannes this week, ‘Team Derby’ unveiled the City Centre First for Offices Prospectus.

The prospectus sets out all the existing and planned office developments in the city centre in a bid to attract businesses back to the heart of Derby.

It is one of a number of pitches being made by ‘Team Derby’, which is made up of public and private sector partners, who are currently out in Cannes pitching city centre investment opportunities to an audience of 25,000 international investors.

John Forkin, managing director of Marketing Derby, said: “Derby’s city centre is emerging as the key location for offices and occupiers.

“Over the past two decades, this role has been taken by Pride Park, which is now fully developed and congested.

“Post-COVID, the nature of modern business is demanding bespoke and attractive spaces within vibrant, urban areas.

“Derby city centre already has more square feet of office space than Pride Park – and this is increasing as premises are refreshed and re-purposed and new buildings are being planned.”

One of the catalysts driving this renewed focus on the city’s office market is the announcement that Derby will be the headquarters of Great British Railways (GBR), which is already acting as a positive signal for landlords and developers to bring forward office spaces that cater for the needs of 21st century occupiers.

The prospectus details the city’s mixed office economy, which includes managed workspaces, single-use offices and new Grade A opportunities.

It also sets out a strong case for businesses to relocate to the city centre, including the strength of the local economy and the £225 million of key schemes set to open in Derby this year, which will breathe new life into the heart of the city.

As well as showcasing its potential as an office location, Team Derby is out in MIPIM plugging a number of other pipeline projects and opportunities within the city centre.

They include the Cultural Heart of City, which involve proposals for the former Assembly Rooms site and the University of Derby’s wider plans for a City Campus, which would follow on from its impressive £70 million Cavendish Building that is due to open later this year.

Away from the city centre, Team Derby is also briefing investors on how they can tap into Derby’s rising reputation as a centre for nuclear technology – with incentives to be had at locations such as Infinity Park Derby, which has Investment Zone status.

The Team Derby public/private sector partnership approach is one that has reaped dividends for the city in recent years in terms of attracting overseas investment.

It recently resulted in Derby being placed sixth within the Top 10 Small European Cities for FDI Strategy category in the prestigious Financial Times’ fDi European Cities and Regions of the Future 2025 rankings.

The rankings recognise cities who have devised the best strategy for attracting foreign direct investment.

Yesterday, members of Team Derby accepted the city’s award at a special ceremony held at MIPIM.

Councillor Nadine Peatfield, leader of Derby City Council, who is in Cannes, said: “Over the years, Derby’s inward investment strategy has consistently been placed in the top 10 of these prestigious rankings – and we are both proud and delighted to be included once again.

“Our great city has always prided itself as a UK home for international businesses – and our proven strategy continues to successfully attract overseas investors.”

To read a digital copy of the City Centre First for Offices Prospectus visit Derby City Centre Office Prospectus.