Present

Today's Derby is a modern city set in a stunning rural environment.  The majority of our residential areas are 15 minutes from the compact centre or 15 minutes from fantastic parks and open spaces, including the Peak District and National Forest. 

In 2007, Westfield, the world's largest retail property group, opened its doors to a £340 million shopping centre, its first in Europe.  In its first year, Westfield Derby attracted 25 million customers and is recognised as one of the UK's top centre by Property Week.

QUAD, a £12 million visual arts and film centre, opened in 2008, has fast become an integral part of the city centre's entertainment offer.  Located in the Market Place at the heart of the Cathedral Quarter, over 100,000 people have already visitied QUAD in the first six months since its opening.

The city's riverside is being rediscovered as a place to live and relax, at the heart of which is the £50 million Derby Riverlights project.  A new £10 million state-of-the-art bus station is part of the vast Riverlights development in the heart of the city centre that will include two hotels as well as a casino, cafes, bars and restaurants.

Plans for the public realm in the city centre have got off to a good start with the completion of Cathedral Green and the opening of its new swing bridge in April 2009.  The area now provides a fitting public realm between two of Derby's prized assets - The UNESCO World Heritage Site at the Silk Mill and Derby Cathedral itself.

Derby College unveils its new Roundhouse campus in September 2009.  The redevelopment sees one of the city's historic buildings being brought back into use.  The creation of the new campus has allowed buildings originally used for steam engine repairs to be given a new lease of life.

A new world-class hospital, to be know as Derby Royal Hospital, opens in 2009 on the west side of Derby, a £400m DFI project.

Derby hosts a number of cultural events and festivals throughout the year including the annual Derby Festé, the renowned Derby Jazz Festival, two international real ale festivals and the UK's largest classical outdoor concert.  Home to a regional dance centre and orchestra, 36 cinema screens, two theatres, varied live performance venues, art galleries and UNESCO World Heritage Site. Derby offers excellent quality of life opportunities.