Derby seeks almost £24m to help regenerate city centre

Derby is to ask the government for £23.7m to help fund a series of schemes that will aim to reinvigorate the city centre, attract more visitors and create hundreds of jobs.The city council has said the money will enable the delivery of new office space, create public areas, use digital technology to improve visitor experience and provide a new use for one of the city’s most historic buildings.Derby’s bid for cash will be submitted to ministers later this month as part of the £1bn Future High Streets Fund initiative.The authority has said csuccess with the application would unlock a total investment of about £100m – with the rest coming from the city council and private investors.An initial Derby plan found favour with civil servants last year and the city was asked to work up a full business case.This will be submitted by mid-June and will include:Becketwell regeneration: conversion of an existing building and new development to create 18,000 square feet of offices and creative workspace together with a new public square, to be known as Summer Hill Yard. This will complement the main public square proposed as part of the first phase of the wider Becketwell scheme, a major redevelopment of the entire area, including shops, restaurants and new homes, by Leeds-based St James Securities.Market Hall transformation: securing the future of this grade II-listed building by offering an exciting venue for food and drink, themed markets, a ‘make-and-trade’ zone for new entrepreneurs and space for events and activities.Enhanced digital infrastructure: delivering high-quality public WiFi and Smart City technologies to help visitors access real-time information on events, public transport, air quality and car parking.St Peters Demonstrator Unit: securing vacant store space for use as a testbed for new cultural, leisure and business ideas that will enrich the high street and attract visitors.Eastern Gateway: working in partnership with Intu to create new entrances from the bus station along East Street, with improved public realm and providing opportunities for development of vacant retail space.The scheme, produced in conjunction with stakeholders such as the Vibrant City Partnership and Cathedral Quarter and St Peters Quarter Business Improvement Districts, will also see general improvement and ‘greening’ of the streets in the St Peters Cross area.