Derby City Lab hits 60,000th visitor mark

The Derby City Lab has reached another key milestone after attracting its 60,000th visitor.

The aim of the lab, which is situated in Derby City Council’s Derby Market Hall, is to engage the public in the city’s future – informing them of the latest developments in the city centre – and gathering their feedback, thoughts and ideas on how Derby can be made better.

A particular draw for visitors has been the University of Derby’s DUST (Derby’s Urban Sustainable Transition) project.

DUST aims to reimagine Derby for a sustainable future, creating an augmented reality representation of the city, capitalising on its blueways and greenways to increase its vibrancy and prosperity.

Professor Chris Bussell, who is DUST’s project lead, said: “The University of Derby is delighted to share in this landmark with the Derby City Lab.

“DUST focuses on how we interface commercial, retail and leisure activity into a common space that has purpose and function.

“Since it began, the lab has provided the ideal showcase for this vision of Derby – one which is inhabited by a more socially conscious population who want liveable cities.”

The latest edition of the lab is its third iteration. The first opened in St James’s Street in 2022 and in 2024 it moved to the Derbion shopping centre, where visitor numbers hit the 20,000 mark.

However, since opening at the Market Hall on 24 May last year, 40,000 more visitors have come through its doors to bring the total number of visitors to 60,000.

Adam Rodgers, inward investment and digital executive at Marketing Derby and Derby City Lab lead, said: “It was only in December that we celebrated hitting the 50,000th visitor mark – so to be hitting 60,000 so soon is incredible.

“It is very encouraging that so many people are interested and want to engage in Derby’s future.

“We are constantly updating the lab’s content to ensure those who visit are given the very latest on the city’s regeneration story.

“The university’s DUST project in particular always catches people’s attention – opening their eyes to the exciting possibilities.”

The first edition in St James’s Street had the backing of private/public partners alongside Marketing Derby, including Derby City Council, the University of Derby, Lathams and Clowes Developments.

That partnership was recognised in 2023 with the Public/Private Partnership Award at the prestigious EG Awards, beating off entries from London, Liverpool and Manchester.

The current lab in the Market Hall features 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 features a touch screen kiosk, which features an interactive development pipeline.

And it is home to the City Living Room, the 300 years of innovation timeline.

For more information about the Derby City Lab and to plan your visit click here.