Latest News | 8 April 2021
Murray Walker, Mars Bars and the city that helps you ‘work, live and play’
Here, in his latest monthly column reflecting on the news over the past month, our Press and PR Executive Robin Johnson, looks at the headlines.
Those of you of a certain vintage will recall the old advertising slogan ‘A Mars a day helps you work, rest and play’.
Of course, today, you would never get away with that. Forget work, rest and play – your doctor would probably tell you that eating a Mars Bar a day would be more likely to help you develop Type 2 diabetes.
That advertising slogan was often attributed to Murray Walker – yes, the same Murray Walker who had a career in advertising but also went on to become a Formula One commentating legend.
Sadly, he passed away last month at the ripe old age of 97. I was a big fan. His passion and enthusiasm for the sport was infectious.
Another of my heroes, the late Clive James, once said of him: “Even in moments of tranquility, Murray Walker sounds like a man whose trousers are on fire.”
So, why am I going on about Murray and Mars Bars? It’s because Derby’s major headlines in March reminded me of that advertising slogan.
But it was not so much ‘work, rest and play’ – more a case of ‘work, live and play’.
So, let’s start with the ‘work’ bit. As ever, the team here at Marketing Derby have been working tirelessly to promote and support all the great things that are happening in our city.
There was no better showcase than our Annual Business Event, which for the first time, was held online. (Read the full story here.)
Over the years, I’ve been to many physical ABEs, which have taken place in a packed Derby Theatre.
And every time, at the end of the event, I’ve left the auditorium, bursting with a renewed pride and a Murray Walker-esque passion for my city (although I can’t remember my trousers ever being ablaze).
Would the same event work online? Personally, I found the online ABE incredibly moving as it looked back over what has been a pretty traumatic past 12 months, but also uplifting as it looked ahead to the future. You can watch for yourself here.
The Dare to Dream is a landmark slot at each year's ABE and this year was taken by our own managing director John Forkin, who took us on a personal journey to the banks of the River Derwent having started in New York City. You can watch John’s piece here.
The ABE was followed by another important Marketing Derby event that took place in March – the Derby City Embassy. (Read the full story here.)
Normally held during MIPIM and the glamorous surroundings of Cannes, on the French Riviera, this event too was held online due to the postponement of the annual international property investment show because of Covid.
It set out why major investors were ploughing half a billion pounds in the city – and outlined Derby’s approach to its recovery.
At the Embassy, we heard from two of those key investors – Cale Street and St James Securities.
SJS is the firm delivering the £200 million Becketwell regeneration project – and in March we saw further progress on this important scheme, with the demolition of more buildings and news that an operator for the performance venue element of the scheme had been identified. (Read the full story here.)
Staying on the ‘work’ theme, progress continues to be made on some major job-creating developments, both in the city and county.
Plans for the huge SmartParc development on the former Celanese site, which will create around 5,000 jobs, received a major cash boost. (Read the full story here.)
Meanwhile, further afield, plans for a new Lidl Bottling Plant at Foston – a £50 million investment – were confirmed. (Read the full story here.)
I’m happy to say that Marketing Derby provided support to both SmartParc and MEG Group (the firm behind the new bottling plant) in their investment decisions and continues to help them bring their plans to fruition.
In March, there was also news on two important new funds, both of which will help SMEs grow and create new jobs.
Ahead of its official launch, Derby City Council revealed details of its Ascend programme, a £5 million fund designed to help firms innovate and expand. (Read the full story here.)
It was particularly great to see that one of our Bondholders, fast-growing luxury doughnut maker Project D, had been chosen to be the pilot for the scheme.
Meanwhile, the £2 million Green Entrepreneurs Scheme, designed to help small and medium-sized businesses across Derbyshire go green, was launched by Derbyshire County Council and the University of Derby. (Read the full story here.)
In terms of the ‘live’ element of ‘work, live and play’, aside from the ongoing progress being made at our major new ‘ressie’ schemes, such as Becketwell, the Nightingale Quarter and Castleward, March brought us an interesting story about plans for the former tax office in Agard Street, called Northgate House.
After recently snapping up the property, Staton Young has applied for it to be turned into student accommodation. (Read the full story here.)
And finally, we move on to ‘play’ – and goodness knows we all need a bit of play in our lives at the moment!
We are now starting to see brighter skies ahead, with the phased lifting of lockdown – and the reopening of our much-loved venues and the return of our favourite events.
One particular venue I’m looking forward to seeing again is the Market Place alfresco dining experience. (Read the full story here.)
The concept was a massive hit last summer – and the perfect solution, not only for the uncertain times we live in, but also in terms of a use for the Market Place itself.
Marketing Derby has already agreed to sponsor one of the chalets at the Market Place venue this year where some exciting events are set to take place over the summer.
Meanwhile, Derby LIVE has announced a programme of outdoor cinema and theatre events for this summer. (Read the full story here.)
And details have been announced for the return of the Hannells Darley Park Concert. (Read the full story here.)
So, to borrow a phrase from Murray, if all goes to plan, this summer should be all systems “Go! Go! Go!”
Anyway, that’s enough from me. Have a safe and productive April and I look forward to catching up again next month.
