Ariana joins the team at Derby City Lab

The Derby City Lab has welcomed its newest member of staff who is particularly keen to engage with the city’s ‘next generation’ about Derby’s future.

Ariana Botchway is the latest addition to the team of customer assistants, whose job it is to welcome visitors, explain Derby’s regeneration story and listen to people’s views on the city’s future.

She joins existing customer assistants Bryan Thompson, Lynda Tomkins and Brad Hanney who help staff the lab, which is located on Level 2 of the Derbion shopping centre.

Located between Castle Galleries and Goldsmiths (and opposite Frasers/Sports Direct and Marks & Spencer), the purpose of the lab is to engage the wider community in better understanding the evolution of the city and investment pipeline.

Ariana studied film, media and textiles at Derby College Group’s Joseph Wright Centre before going on to study fashion at London Metropolitan.

She has since returned to Derby to pursue new opportunities with the experience she has gained.

Ariana said: “Working at the lab for me so far has given me a greater insight to all what is happening in Derby.

“This was one of the attractions to the role – and to be able to meet new people.

“It’s been really interesting hearing stories of how the city used to be and what people think of the changes coming.

“It’s great to be able to play a small part in helping everyone who comes into the lab leave with a better understanding of what’s happening or what developments/investments are in the pipeline.

“I’m also looking forward to engaging with the next generation – and getting a better understanding of their perception of the city.”

Previously situated in St James’s Street, the lab is a public/private partnership involving Marketing Derby, Derby City Council, the University of Derby, Derbion, Lathams and Clowes Developments.

The centrepiece of the lab is the Derby City Model – a detailed 3D model of Derby city centre, which aims to help visitors visualise the city’s ongoing regeneration story.

It also houses the City Living Room, which includes detailed information about the city’s investment pipeline, as well as a 300-year timeline of the city.

Visitors can also view the city of the future by watching a film all about the University of Derby’s Derby Urban Sustainable Transition (DUST) project.

Adam Rodgers, inward investment executive at Marketing Derby and Derby City Lab lead, said: “We are delighted to welcome Ariana to the team.

“Here at the lab, we are keen to engage people from all walks of life – and Ariana is a fantastic addition in terms of getting the views of the up-and-coming generation about shaping the city’s future.”

The lab is open seven days a week (Monday to Wednesday 10am to 4pm, Thursday to Saturday 11am to 5pm and Sunday 11am to 4pm).

To find out more and to plan your visit go to https://derbycitylab.com/ .