BIDs settle into new base at university’s Cavendish Building

The Cathedral Quarter and St Peters Quarter Business Improvement Districts are settling into their new base at the University of Derby’s state-of-the-art Cavendish Building.

The BIDs are among the first tenants to move into the £75 million building, which is home to the Derby International Business School – and is also the new headquarters of Marketing Derby.

Both BIDs have relocated from The Strand to take office space within the seven-storey building.

Gemma Pindard, deputy manager for the Cathedral Quarter BID and St Peters Quarter BID, said: “The team and I are thrilled to have moved into the Cavendish Building.

“Our new base will enable the BIDs and our team of four rangers to remain within the BID area and continue our valuable work supporting local businesses.

“We are also excited to have close links with the students who can help inject fresh ideas into our BID projects.”

The Cathedral Quarter and St Peter’s Quarter BIDs will benefit from access to market-leading specialist spaces within The Cavendish Building, such as a high-tech creativity lab to unlock new ideas, fully equipped trading floor, specialist supply chain lab and an immersive extended reality suite to develop learning in a virtual environment.

They will also be able to make use of the on-site library and communal spaces, as well as have access to student talent and new ideas.

Martin Langsdale MBE, chair of the Cathedral Quarter BID, said: “We see this move to the University of Derby’s new Business School as the start of something really special for the BIDs.

“The Cathedral Quarter BID will continue to support and enable all businesses to thrive in a place that is individual, diverse and inspiring and the team can enjoy an exciting new office filled with like-minded people.”

Helen Wathall, chair of St Peters Quarter BID, said: “I know how much the St Peters Quarter BID team were looking forward to the move.

“Their office in the Derby Business School will nurture such positivity and new and strong relationships will be forged between the university, the BIDs and beyond.”

Dr Matt Snowden, associate provost for industry engagement at the University of Derby, said: “The Cavendish Building is a fantastic facility and will be the go-to hub for businesses, supporting the university’s ambition to be the “University for Industry”.

“Our aim from the outset was for The Cavendish Building to have a focus on co-location and co-creation where industry, academics and students can work together to ignite ideas and solve some of the world’s biggest challenges.

“We are delighted to have attracted a diverse and innovative range of businesses that will call this new, vibrant building home.”