Why we now need to look beyond our 20/20 vision

Here, in his latest monthly column reflecting on the news over the past month, our Press and PR Executive Robin Johnson takes a look at the headlines.

As I write this, the dust is still settling on yet another memorable Annual Business Event.

Once again held at Derby Theatre, Wednesday’s event felt extra special – not least because it celebrated 20 years since the inception of Marketing Derby.

Over the past two decades, thanks to the unwavering support of both our public and private sector partners, together we have been able to achieve some remarkable things.

And it was wonderful to be able to sit there among you all and take time to reflect on just how far the city has come.

However, in addition to being a celebration of what has been achieved, the ABE also highlighted the work that still needs to be done.

Despite a momentous 2025, which saw the opening of Vaillant Live, the refurbished Market Hall and the University of Derby’s Cavendish Building, the mission to regenerate and reimagine our city centre continues unabated.

A site that has been on everyone’s lips for a good few years now is the former Assembly Rooms – but there is finally light at the end of that tunnel.

2026 got off to the best possible start when news broke last month that a planning application had been lodged for Derby MADE.

Following two rounds of public consultation, VINCI UK Developments and ION Developments, working in partnership as preferred developer with Derby City Council, have brought forward exciting plans to regenerate the Market Place, including the Assembly Rooms site.

The emerging proposals include new Grade A office space, a four-star hotel, and a flexible, multi-purpose visitor destination.

This will be supported by public realm designed to create welcoming spaces for people to meet, work, relax and enjoy the city centre.

I think we’re all looking forward to seeing this application progress through the planning system and finally become a reality.

Schemes such as this should hopefully help to make the city centre an even more pleasant place to visit.

When you live or work in a place on a day-to-day basis, it is often difficult to view it objectively. Often, we find ourselves turning to outside sources for validation.

It was therefore encouraging to report on new research by the influential and highly respected culture and events magazine Time Out, which named Derby among the best places to visit in the UK in 2026.

This listing is testament to the hard work put in by the team at Visit Derby – backed by a number of Marketing Derby Bondholders – facilitating visits to the city by journalists and travel writers, who then go away and spread the good word.

2026 is therefore a golden opportunity for Derby to impress potential new visitors.

A particular draw will be a major exhibition showcasing the works of one of Derby’s most famous sons – the artist Joseph Wright.

Currently, London’s National Gallery is holding an exhibition called Wright of Derby: From the Shadows, which in June, will relocate to Derby.

At yesterday’s Annual Business Event, Tony Butler OBE, executive director of Derby Museums, delivered a keynote address, outlining the importance of Wright to Derby.

An interview with Tony on the same subject provides the cover story for the latest edition of our Innovate Magazine, which flopped onto people’s doormats last month.

Once again, it is packed with fascinating features about our Bondholders. If you missed out on a copy, you can read a digital version of the magazine here.

As well as being a recommended place to visit, Derby is continuing its push to become the ideal place to live by creating thousands of quality new homes in the heart of the city.

Wavensmere Homes has been front and centre of our ‘residential revolution’ – having just completed the last of 925 homes at Nightingale Quarter, on the site of the former Derbyshire Royal Infirmary.

The firm is now making rapid progress at its next Derby site – Friar Gate Goods Yard.

At the start of the year, the firm announced it aimed to build 2,000 homes this year, including a number at the historic goods yard.

As well as building new homes, the project involves the renovation of the Bonded Warehouse for a mix of uses.

For Derby, it is positive that we have a flow of brand-new schemes, but it is also worth remembering that we have a number of existing buildings that are fully deserving of an injection of new life.

Investors, particularly ones in the local area, are alive to this.

For example, in January we reported that Cavendish & London Property Group had secured a deal for The Royal Buildings, a prominent heritage building in the heart of Derby city centre.

The company has said it now intends to bring the building forward as a “key commercial asset”, with detailed redevelopment plans to follow.

But when it comes to making Derby better, success cannot be measured by buildings alone – new or old.

The social impact that has been made is equally important.

And in January, we had the perfect example of the positive influence Marketing Derby and its Bondholders can have.

Upbeat Clean is an ethical cleaning company, which provides real living wage employment to people who have come to the UK in search of refuge and asylum.

After being named Marketing Derby’s Rising Star in 2023, the social enterprise went on to become the first in Derbyshire to win what is considered to be the rarest King’s Award for Enterprise honour, landing the Promoting Opportunity through Social Mobility accolade.

Also, thanks to its Bondholder membership, it went on to secure a number of major new contracts.

As a result, last month, Upbeat Clean announced that this year it would be paying £1 million in real living wage salaries and pensions to its team of refugee cleaners.

This is inclusive growth in action.

It is achievements like this that we can all reflect on with pride – but not for too long.

Yes, we are justly proud of what has been achieved in Derby over the last 20 years – but it is the gathering momentum and what we can achieve together that gives confidence for the next 20 years.

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