Consultation begins on vision for former Assembly Rooms site

A public consultation has begun on plans for a visionary new, multi-use community building on the site of Derby’s former Assembly Rooms.

VINCI UK Developments and Ion Developments is inviting people to share their views on the project, described as a “landmark community building”, provisionally named ‘Derby MADE’.

Earlier this month, Derby City Lab hosted drop-in exhibitions, which saw residents, businesses owners and stakeholders give feedback on the proposals.

Derby MADE is intended to provide a vibrant and safe place for all communities to come together.

With a combined 60,000 sq ft of public spaces to gather, learn, share ideas, play and work, it is envisaged that it will become the city’s “living room” and become a natural place for the people of Derby to meet and visit.

The vision for the building, which would operate throughout the day and evening, includes spaces for families, meeting rooms, co-working spaces, library area, exhibition spaces, a roof-top bar, office and retail units.

Derby MADE would form the first phase of the Market Place redevelopment, utilising the entire site of the Assembly Rooms.

Graham Lambert, managing director at VINCI UK Developments, said: “Derby MADE is at the heart of our shared initiative, designed to shape the vision for the city centre around a newly bustling Market Place, and this is the first opportunity we have had to share some of those plans.

“We are only too aware of our responsibility in transforming the site of the former Assembly Rooms, with something that is equally iconic, but also of equal or greater relevance to Derby’s citizens.

“We have assembled what we think is an amazing project and we would love to hear feedback to help us shape the vision as it moves forward.”

Steve Parry, managing director at Ion Developments, said: “We’re delighted to be involved with this project which is designed to celebrate civic pride and the city’s identity.

“The building is intended to give the people of Derby a reason for visiting the heart of the city centre and to help build the visitor economy building up the Vaillant Live and Derby Market Hall.

“We have taken inspiration from similarly transformational and successful projects at Storyhouse in Chester, and in Culture House in Sunderland.

“We are hoping to draw over three quarters of a million visitors a year to the Market Place, we expect that will be a new lease of life for the square and hopefully for the businesses that are understandably relying on its careful rejuvenation.”

More information about the plans can be found at https://marketplaceredevelopment-derby.co.uk/.