Derby must ‘be bold, be brave’ in the face of the naysayers

While walking out of the main auditorium at Reach Events, along with the other 300 delegates following the conclusion of our latest Derby Property Summit, a phrase uttered by one of the panellists kept turning over and over in my head.

It stayed with me on the drive home – and now, weeks later, it is still lodged in my brain.

It was something said by James Dickens, the managing director of Wavensmere Homes, a company that is currently investing heavily in Derby with three major schemes on the go – Nightingale Quarter, Friar Gate Goods Yard and Cathedral One.

The host, Declan Curry, asked each of the panel what their key message to the summit was.

James’ message was clear and unequivocal: “Be bold, be brave”.

And it’s a pretty good mantra to have – particularly as it would appear ‘Derby-bashing’ has become something of a national sport in recent times.

Those naysayers would’ve done well to have been part of the audience at this year’s Derby Property Summit.

There they would’ve heard all about the numerous exciting projects that are rapidly coming down the line, which, when put together, will raise Derby’s game.

Yes, the city has its problems – what city doesn’t? But those leaving the Derby Property Summit were left in no doubt that exciting times lie ahead – and that in a few years’ time, Derby will look like a very different place.

In some cases, we won’t even need to wait that long.

For example, the new £45.8 million entertainment and conference venue at Becketwell, which is due to open next year, is really starting to take shape.

In July, we got an update on its progress. Three quarters of the glass curtain walling on the east side is now installed. Meanwhile, inside, all the internal work is well underway, giving a good sense of the space within the auditorium and the areas around it.

Once open, it will be a real-game changer for this part of Derby, attracting an extra 250,000 visitors a year.

It will be a striking building – bold, brave – and with a major name like ASM Global operating it, ultimately successful, I’m sure.

It is not just more visitors Derby will be attracting – the city is also attracting more residents, thanks to a string of high-quality residential developments.

Among those in the pipeline is Cathedral One, a scheme in which the aforementioned Wavensmere Homes is involved.

In July, we learned that planning officers at Derby City Council had recommended the scheme be approved – and it will go before committee later this year.

Now, I’m sure I’m not alone in struggling with name changes. You become so used to calling something one thing, it takes time to get used to calling it another.

For example, when Derby County once sold the sponsorship rights to Pride Park Stadium, it took me a while to start calling it the iPro Stadium.

I’d just about got the hang of it – then it reverted back to Pride Park Stadium!

The same thing happened with the Westfield Derby shopping centre, which then became Intu Derby and later Derbion.

I’ll be honest, when they revealed that the shopping centre was to be called Derbion, I wasn’t sure.

Now, I think it’s great and can’t imagine it being called anything else – and happily that one has stuck in my brain!

But the latest thing I’ve got to get my head around is calling St. Modwen Park Derby by its new name of Indurent Park Derby, following a merger between St. Modwen Logistics and another company.

I’m getting there – but if you spot me calling it by its old name in any of my copy, do be sure to drop me a line!

Of course, our news bulletins are there to give you the major headlines coming out of Derby – but they also exist to help our Bondholders get their message out.

Charities in particular rely on us to help them promote their activities.

So, when Derby Kids’ Camp came to us with an urgent plea for volunteers to help them assemble the tents for this year’s camp, we had no hesitation in featuring it on our bulletins.

Happily, a number of Bondholders stepped forward (as they always do) to help – and right now, hundreds of youngsters who deserve a break, are making wonderful holiday memories in the Derbyshire countryside.

July also brought with it an important anniversary – for the Derby City Lab, which has marked its second anniversary.

When it first opened in St James’s Street in 2022, it was something new for Derby – a place where people could find out more about the city’s regeneration future and have their say.

The idea was bold, and it was brave.

But that boldness and bravery has paid off. In the space of two years, the lab, which is now housed on Level 2 of Derbion (not Intu or Westfield!), will soon be welcoming its 10,000th visitor.

It has also engaged hundreds of people while hosting events, meetings and focus groups.

It has played – and is continuing to play – an invaluable role in informing and engaging the public about what is happening in Derby.

I’ve now worked a few shifts in the lab – and heard the whole spectrum of views.

Yes, some people do come in to have a good moan – as is their want. But in some cases, their points are valid.

On the flipside, I’ve found that the majority of people through the door appear genuinely interested – and enthused – by the positive changes the city is trying to make.

It’s a work in progress – and some bold and brave decisions still lie ahead.

But you know what they say – fortune favours the brave!

Anyway, have a safe and productive August and I look forward to catching up again with you soon.