£11.2m regeneration project set for 2023 finish

A £11.2m regeneration programme which will transform Derby’s grade II-listed Victorian Market Hall is on track to be completed by the summer of 2023.Work is underway to create what Derby City Council has said will be a “contemporary, vibrant and retail destination”.The building, which has been trading since 1866, will be the subject of a two-stage project to create an “attractive, flexible, retail and cultural destination” which will contribute to the revitalisation of the city centre.Phase one of the project started in March last year with a £6m roof restoration, which will extend the building’s lifespan and counter structural deterioration and make it safer to be worked on in future.This is planned for completion in the summer of 2022. The second phase focuses on an internal and external reconfiguration, which will transform the look and feel of the Market Hall.The ground floor will include a food court and flexible events space. The food court will trade throughout the day and will form part of Derby’s growing night time economy.The remaining ground floor space will be available for traditional and periodic changing market offers of fresh food and dry goods.There is scope for the current kiosks to be redesigned into flexible units. Toilet facilities are also set to be improved, alongside lift and stair access to ensure inclusive accessibility for everyone.The interior balcony area will provide an opportunity to accommodate a small business incubator, possibly in the form of a home food preparation area or general retail skills development and support.Occasional themed markets such as, antiques, crafts, fashion or maker/sellers could also be held on the balcony.The entrances to the Market Hall are also set to be improved, allowing market activity to flow into the surrounding streets and transforming the adjacent Osnabruck Square into an attractive, flexible space.Companies involved in this major project include Pick Everard, Wates Construction, Lathams, T4 Sustainability and Market Place Europe, part of National Association of British Markets Authorities (NABMA).