Key stakeholders pledge support for new performance venue

Key stakeholders in Derby have pledged their support for a proposed new 3,500 capacity performance venue in the heart of the city.

Back in July, St James Securities, the developer delivering the £200 million regeneration of Becketwell, submitted plans to Derby City Council for the venue, which would be managed by world-leading operator ASM Global.

The application is set to be considered by the council’s planning committee in the coming months. Ahead of that meeting, the council is currently inviting comments on the proposals.

Significant city stakeholders, including Marketing Derby, D2N2 LEP, East Midlands Chamber, Derbion and the University of Derby, have all written to the council declaring their overwhelming support for the project.

The Becketwell performance venue represents the second phase of the mixed-use regeneration project.

Work is already underway on the first phase, which involves the construction of 259 build-to-rent apartments on the site of the former Debenhams store, in Victoria Street.

The new performance venue would be built on the site of the former Pennine Hotel, Laurie House offices, multi-storey car park, and Coconut Lounge nightclub in Colyear Street and Systems House and Padley House in Becket Street.

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Once open, it is projected that the venue will host over 200 cultural and commercial events each year, which will attract an additional circa 350,000 visitors to Derby.

It will create over 200 new local jobs and generate more than £10 million per year for the area.

In its letter of support, Marketing Derby managing director John Forkin wrote: “The performance venue will bring significant economic benefits to an underused part of the city acting as a catalyst for further jobs and investment, as well as improving the perception and reputation of Derby as a place to live, work and visit.”

Back in July, the city council announced it had submitted a £20 million bid to the Government’s Levelling Up Fund to help fund the new Becketwell performance venue.

The D2N2 LEP, which has contributed to the upfront infrastructure and development works at the Becketwell site, has also written to the city council pledging its “strong support” for the project, particularly the performance venue.

Will Morlidge, interim chief executive at the D2N2 LEP, wrote: “The project closely aligns with the core themes for investment being proposed through Levelling Up Funding and will help to revitalise Derby city centre through a comprehensive package of regeneration and cultural investment.”

In his letter of support, Scott Knowles, chief executive of East Midlands Chamber, said that Derby needed a venue like the one being proposed at Becketwell.

He wrote: “These plans are exciting, timely and we believe can play a major part in achieving the shared vision for a vibrant, thriving Derby.”

In her letter, Professor Kathryn Mitchell, vice-chancellor at the University of Derby, said that the performance venue proposal would benefit its own plans for a new business school in the heart of the city.

She wrote: “The proposal brings a renewed confidence in Derby as a place and making a significant contribution to the cultural life and vibrancy of the city, which, in turn, will attract students to study here.

“The increased business presence in the city will benefit our own new business school proposition.”

And in its letter of support, Adam Tamsett, general manager of the Derbion, said the new venue would increase footfall and spend in the city.

He wrote: “We firmly believe for our city to be a success we need a more vibrant arts and cultural scene to attract more visitors and spend to the city.”