Triumphant reopening for Derby Market Hall after £35m revamp

Derby Market Hall is back open for business – with huge crowds flooding through its doors following the £35 million revamp of the historic building.

The revitalised, Grade II listed Victorian market hall, officially opened to the public last Saturday, featuring a modern street food dining area, bars, traditional and contemporary retail units and creative spaces for artisan makers.

According to Derby City Council, more than 34,500 people visited in the first three days.

The day before the Market Hall opened to the public, Marketing Derby hosted a special sneak preview event for its Bondholders, which attracted around 250 people.

Speaking at the event, venue manager Hana York, said: “It is so thrilling for me to stand here – it’s been a long time coming and I knew that Marketing Derby Bondholders would bring the party today.

“The traders are what the building is all about – they are at the heart of the Market Hall and need your support.

“Tell everyone this is a place to come – and keep on coming – as we’re going to keep it fresh.”

John Forkin, managing director at Marketing Derby, said: “Congratulations to Derby City Council, Hana and her team.

“We wanted to give Bondholders a preview of the incredible transformation of the Market Hall and its new offer.

“The message is simple: spread the word; come back; spend money!”

Located at the heart of the city centre, linking Derbion and St Peters Quarter with the Cathedral Quarter and Becketwell, the Market Hall’s transformation began back in 2018.

The opening day marked the start of a week-long celebration packed with free music, creative workshops and family-friendly activities at the Market Hall.

It also marked the official opening of the new location for the Derby City Lab.

After just over a year at Derbion, the lab, which aims to inform and engage the public in Derby’s regeneration story, has relocated to a ground floor unit at the Market Hall.

Following a ribbon-cutting ceremony, more than 1,000 people flocked through its doors on its opening day. To date, more than 4,000 people have visited Derby City Lab in its new location.

Adam Rodgers, inward investment executive at Marketing Derby and Derby City Lab lead, said: “We were absolutely overwhelmed by the number of people who came to visit the new-look lab.

“The mood among visitors was unanimously positive – with people genuinely enthusiastic about the city’s direction of travel.”

Derby Market Hall is open from 8am to 3pm from Monday to Wednesday, 8am to 10pm Thursday to Saturday and 11am to 3pm on Sunday.

More information about traders and events can be found at the Derby Market Hall website https://www.derbymarkethall.co.uk/.