Connect Derby to manage city's Market Hall

Connect Derby has been appointed by Derby City Council to take on the temporary management of the city’s historic Market Hall.

Since its reopening in July, following the first national lockdown, Market Hall traders have been supported with their day-to-day operations by Ann Bhatti, who is head of the managed workspace provider, along with her management team.

As part of their new management role, the Connect Derby team have been responsible for reviewing existing risk assessments, policies, and procedures in response to the challenges of creating a Covid-safe environment.

Connect Derby has continued to upskill and train Market Hall staff in key service areas and share good practice.

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They have also offered business support meetings to traders, with free 30-minute sessions to answer queries and provide help and support with any grants and resources available from government in response to the financial and economic challenges the pandemic has wrought.

The Grade II Listed Victorian Market Hall is currently undergoing a multi-million pound regeneration programme, which will see the building transformed into a retail and leisure destination.

Work is already underway on the transformation, which will include traditional and themed markets, events, one-off or pop-up uses and small performances with a greater emphasis on food and drink to attract a wider range of businesses and visitors.

The Market Hall’s transformation project will require traders to decant early next year so essential works can take place and the process is being co-ordinated by Ann and her team.

A variety of different options are being considered for the decant and workshop sessions are currently being staged to consult with existing traders about their needs.

Ann said: “We’ve really hit the ground running since taking on temporary management of the Market Hall and are helping and guiding traders through their next steps and their daily operations during what is a period of disruption for them.

“As a managed workspace provider, we understand the importance of clear communication with tenants, which is why we’re consulting with traders on the decant process to make sure it runs as smoothly as possible.

“The Market Hall is a unique building with a diverse range of traders and we look forward to working with these businesses in the coming year.”