Plans in for Derby city centre leisure development

Clowes Developments has lodged plans with Derby City Council for a new 11,000 sq ft leisure complex in the heart of the city centre.

Clowes wants to transform two tram sheds in St James’s Yard into eating and drinking venues and replace a newsagent called Smart News on The Strand to form a gateway to the development.

The tram sheds are in a state of disrepair and not currently used. Clowes says it wants to develop two new restaurants in the space.

Nottingham-based CPMG Architects have been appointed to design the scheme. In a design statement, the company said: “Whilst it could be argued that the loss of the retail unit in The Strand and the replacement of the shop front with a gate will detract from the street scape of the street, this is a small loss compared to the gain of the beginnings of regeneration of a run-down area of the city centre.

“The development seeks to bring back into use two derelict buildings which as stated above are not listed but are interesting and part of the cities rich history.”

Salloway Properties are already marketing one of the units.