Derby Goods Yard investment revealed

Derby Cathedral has announced that Friar Gate Goods Yard will be the home of its new secondary school.

Derby Cathedral School will occupy the western half of the derelict site once the  facilities are built over the next two years, it has been confirmed by the Education and Skills Funding Agency.

The school will occupy nine acres of the 20-acre site, off Great Northern Road.

Revd Canon Dr Stephen Hance, dean of the Cathedral, said: “We are delighted that we can now announce where the permanent site for the school will be. Friar Gate Goods Yard was our preferred location from the very beginning of the process due to its central location within close proximity to the Cathedral, and its need for development to enhance the infrastructure of the city.”

Set to house 1,200 students, the secondary school will be a purpose-built facility and does not include the Listed bonded warehouse.

Clowes Developments, which owns the goods yard site are looking at options to refurbish the building and the remainder of the site. Andrew Bock said: “Clowes are committed to the commencing the restoration of the Bonded Warehouse within the next 12 months. We have a number of exciting ideas that we will be exploring with Derby City Council.”

Russell Rigby from Rigby & Co, who represented Clowes Developments in negotiations, said: “This is one of the most significant deals completed in Derby in the last 12 months. The introduction of such a high-calibre educational facility will completely transform and re-energise the emerging new Masterplan for the remaining site. Rigby & Co were delighted to have assisted Clowes Developments in opening up what I believe is a jewel in Derby’s regeneration crown.”

Flint Bishop were also involved in securing the investment. Christine Owen, partner, said: “Flint Bishop has worked alongside Clowes Developments for many years on various high profile projects and it was a great pleasure that I was involved in delivering such an exciting redevelopment scheme in Derby.”

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