Landmark for managed workspace facility at ex-Rolls-Royce building

A managed workspace facility operated by Connect Derby, which was created in a former Rolls-Royce building, is celebrating its fifth anniversary with the arrival of a raft of new tenants.

The iconic Marble Hall, in Nightingale Road, was the subject of a £4 million refurbishment in 2016 to transform it into a vibrant managed workspace facility, with a range of complementary facilities.

It joined the Connect Derby portfolio of managed workspaces soon after and was officially opened later that year by the Duke of Gloucester.

The building, which was home to Rolls-Royce during the First and Second World Wars, is now home to a diverse range of local, regional and national businesses, from new start-ups to established and developing businesses.

It also supports social enterprises, voluntary, community groups and charities.

Over the past few months, Marble Hall has welcomed new tenants from across a number of sectors, including Full Fibre, software company Logezy, real estate investment firm ForTheLandlords.com, Unique Fitness Sports Therapy, nursing agency Go Nursing and 4Life Care Services.

Accommodation at Marble Hall includes 42 offices, ranging in size from 100 sq ft to 800 sq ft, including a stunning penthouse suite, which is home to commercial photographers Cactus Images, along with meeting and conferencing facilities for tenants and external visitors.

The Grade II-listed building is also home to the YMCA Derbyshire operated Claude’s Café, an on-site kitchen and training provision, which serves food at affordable prices.

It also houses the popular Little Angels Day Nursery, which caters for 50 two to four-year-olds.

All tenants benefit from 24/7 access, super-fast Wi-Fi, meeting rooms and a range of business support services provided by D2N2 LEP and its partners.

Ann Bhatti, head of Connect Derby, said: “When Connect Derby was launched in 2014, we recognised that there were many businesses and organisations that serve their local communities from outside the city centre.

“Marble Hall offers the same high-quality offices and associated services that people need, but from a convenient out-of-town base.

“Since that wonderful day back in 2016 when HRH The Duke of Gloucester officially opened the building, Marble Hall has gone from strength-to-strength, attracting a wide variety of businesses, many of which have gone on to achieve great things.

“We look forward to celebrating Marble Hall’s continued success in the future.”

Councillor Jonathan Smale, cabinet member for finance, assets and digital at Derby City Council, said: “We are very proud of what has been achieved at Marble Hall, and this is reflected by the high calibre of occupiers we have attracted and retained on the site.

“Despite what continues to be a very difficult time for many businesses, there is still demand for high quality, flexible office space in the right location.”