Key figures give backing to major performance venue

Key stakeholders and business leaders from across the city have pledged their support for the proposed new 3,500 capacity entertainment and events venue planned for Becketwell Derby, which goes in front of the Derby City Council planning committee later this week.

Back in July, developers St James Securities, which is delivering the £200m Becketwell regeneration scheme, submitted plans to Derby City Council for the venue, which will be managed by ASM Global.

Now, the city’s key stakeholders, including D2N2 LEP, the East Midlands Chamber, the University of Derby, Marketing Derby, Grainger, Derbion, Derby Live, Déda, QUAD, Derby College Group, Pauline Latham MP, the Cathedral Quarter and St Peter’s Quarter BIDS have written to the council expressing their overwhelming support for the project.

The new performance venue will be built on the site of the former Pennine Hotel, Laurie House offices, multi-storey car park, and Coconut Lounge nightclub in Colyear Street and Systems House and Padley House in Becket Street.

The venue will be a fully flexible, scalable space capable of staging concerts, stand-up comedy, family shows, musical theatre, conferences, and exhibitions.

The main auditorium will have a maximum (seated and standing) capacity of 3,500 and offer a range of different event configurations including a fully seated layout for up to 2,100.

Oliver Quarmby, managing director of St James Securities, said: “From the roll call of support Derby’s new performance venue has received from the city’s key stakeholders, the business community, and the public, it’s clear just how important the performance venue is to Derby and the impact it will have.

“The scheme is the centrepiece of the post-covid Derby Economic Recovery Plan and is set to significantly increase Derby’s cultural attraction and the overall profile of the city and get people back into the city centre and spending money.

“Everything is in place now – from the funding to a world class operator. We’re confident that planning permission will be granted and look forward to moving on to the next phase.”