‘Overwhelming’ support for new Derby performance venue
The developer behind the new 3,500 performance venue in Derby has reported “overwhelming support” for the plans.
St James Securities says that hundreds of local residents, members of the business community and other stakeholders visited a virtual consultation event to give their views on plans for entertainment and events venue at Becketwell Derby.
A series of virtual presentations and Q & A sessions also took place, with attendees able to find out more about the scheme, which is being built on the site of the former Laurie House offices and Pink Coconut nightclub in the city.
Some 93% of total respondents agree that Derby needs a new concert and entertainment centre. 91% agree that it will benefit other city centre businesses and 85% agree the city needs a new conference and exhibition venue.
Meanwhile, 80% of respondents would like to see music concerts, 51% comedy, 43% theatre, 27% exhibitions and 21% musicals.
Around 30% would be encouraged to visit by renowned acts and performances, 31% by the diversity of events, 18% by a first- class venue and facilities and 11% by competitive ticket prices.
And 16% would be discouraged from attending by the fear of crime in this part of the city, 15% by a lack of nearby car parking and 11% by unreasonable ticket pricing.
The consultation event was staged by Leeds-based St James Securities (SJS), the developers behind the £200m Becketwell regeneration scheme.
The new performance venue will be forward funded and owned by Derby City Council and run byASM Global.
Oliver Quarmby, managing director of St James Securities, said: “We’re delighted with the response to our ambitious plans for Derby’s new performance venue. Due to covid restrictions, we were forced to hold our consultation virtually, but have been encouraged by the large numbers of visitors we received to our website and the overwhelming support the scheme has received from residents, key stakeholders the local business community and the public.
“The feedback we have received will help us shape our planning application and ensure the performance venue delivers the maximum possible benefits to the people of Derby.
“This ambitious project is set to significantly increase Derby’s cultural attraction and the overall profile of the city, and bring an outstanding, modern performance venue to Derby.”
It is projected that the venue will host over 200 cultural and commercial events each year and attract an additional 250,000 visitors to Derby. It is also expected to create over 200 new local jobs, generate more than £10m per year for the area and increase levels of investment in surrounding areas of the city centre.
An outline planning application for the performance venue is set to be submitted later this month and will be accompanied by a range of technical documentation covering matters such as traffic generation and car parking, noise, and air quality.
Subject to planning consent being granted, work on the performance venue is set to commence in early 2022, with handover to the operator in 2024.
Work on phase one of the site is currently underway, which includes the construction of 259 one and two-bedroom apartments being built on the former Debenhams store site on Victoria Street, and a new public square, with completion by Spring 2023.
