New theatre plan mooted for former Assembly Rooms site

Options are being explored to relocate Derby’s main theatre to a new purpose-built building on the site of the city’s former Assembly Rooms.

Earlier this year, Derby City Council announced plans to re-model the Market Place and create a new cultural heart for Derby.

It is thought that relocating Derby Theatre, which is part of the University of Derby, to a new building next to the Market Place will help to realise this vision, providing a significant opportunity to boost the city’s cultural offer.

The council and the university are now looking at possible options – with the local authority’s cabinet being asked to fund an outline business case and options appraisal, which will allow the scheme to progress to the next stage.

Councillor Matthew Holmes, the city council’s deputy leader, said: “We are still at the exploratory stage of this potential project, but creating a new home for Derby Theatre into a brand-new purpose-built facility is a fantastic opportunity.

“It would have a truly transformational impact on Derby city centre and compliment the new entertainment and events arena being built at Becketwell.”

The outline business case will be essential for the council to be able to bid for external funding, such as the Government’s Levelling Up Fund, which will be critical to enable delivery of the project.

Councillor Holmes said: “Cultural buildings have been key to this area of the city centre for many years and a new theatre would further boost the daytime and night-time economies.

“However, these are early stages and not everything is in our control, delivery of the scheme will be heavily dependent on securing external funding.

“Alongside our other regenerations plans at Becketwell, the Market Hall and Eastern Gateway it really demonstrates that Derby is a place to invest.”

Derby Theatre has said it is examining options for relocating from its existing home as a way of building on current success and increasing the scale of its locally produced content, while attracting a variety of more commercial touring works.

It is also looking to build on artist development programmes, embed a research hub into the organisation and expand and develop its youth, community and outreach programmes.

Vice-chancellor Professor Kathryn Mitchell, who is chair of Derby Theatre’s board, said: “As the city’s only university we have a significant role to play in assuring its long-term cultural vibrancy and sustainability, and our involvement in this scheme reflects our commitment to this.

“These ambitious proposals would not only provide our theatre students with an outstanding learning environment but enable us to further develop our impactful research and community outreach work that helps to improve educational outcomes of young people, as well as engaging local residents in the arts.”