Redevelopment of Derby’s Assembly Rooms moves forward

Derby City Council has awarded a £1.4m contract to built environment specialist Perfect Circle to deliver design work for the redevelopment of the Assembly Rooms.

The first phase of the project will see further detailed design work carried out to build on the feasibility study prepared in 2018.

Perfect Circle will provide a range of multi-disciplinary services including project management, cost management, architecture and building services to drive the project through the pre-construction design phase.

Cllr Chris Poulter, leader of Derby City Council said: “The loss of Assembly Rooms has left a hole in Derby for the last five years. It’s a building that should be the heart of the cultural offering in the city and it’s been drastically missed. We’re absolutely committed to getting the Assembly Rooms back up and running as soon as possible. The appointment of Perfect Circle is the continuation of a key project to transform the Assembly Rooms and its offer to attract people and revitalise the city.”

Victoria Brambini, managing director of Perfect Circle, added: “The Assembly Rooms is an important landmark for Derby and will continue to be an integral part of the city. We are delighted to be part of the project team working in close collaboration with Derby City Council and other stakeholders to ensure smooth delivery of this critical project.”

The contract was awarded through the Scape National Built Environment Consultancy Services (BECS) framework.

Mark Robinson, Scape Group chief executive, said: “With the regeneration of this iconic performance space now secured, it can continue to play a vital part in the provision of arts and leisure to the community in Derby and the surrounding area. Procuring the project through Scape ensures certainty for the council: our frameworks are configured to deliver projects on time, on budget, using strong local supply chains.”

The next key milestone will be the submission of a planning application in June, prior to which there will be consultation with stakeholders and the public on the emerging designs.

Perfect Circle is a joint venture formed by Pick Everard, Gleeds and AECOM, set up exclusively to delives work under the Scape BECS framework.

It has a track record of delivering built environment projects across the UK, having recently delivered the 900-seat Leicester Haymarket Theatre, which had previously been closed for 11 years.