Plans to refurbish and reopen Derby’s Assembly Rooms have received a multi-million pound boost from an organisation which supports the region’s economic growth.
The £24 million project, being led by Derby City Council, is to receive £4.48 million from the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership, after its investment board voted to support the project.
The Market Place venue has been closed ever since it was damaged by a fire more than five years ago. Now, the city council is looking to revamp the existing building and is ploughing £20 million into the project, with the remaining cash coming from D2N2’s Local Growth Fund allocation.
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According to D2N2, which is a private-sector led organisation covering Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, it has decided to support the scheme as a revamped and reopened Assembly Rooms would provide a wider economic boost for the city and trigger more investment.
Elizabeth Fagan, chairman of D2N2, said: “D2N2 has approved £4.48 million of funding towards the redevelopment of the historic Assembly Rooms building as part of the wider redevelopment of Derby city centre.
“A new Assembly Rooms in the heart of Derby, along with the redeveloped Silk Mill Museum will, once opened, attract new visitors and investment into the city, which in turn will support more jobs and private investment into the economy.
“The development will see the new Assembly Rooms act as a city centre entertainment hub providing a multi-functional space for concerts, pantomime, corporate events, conferences, exhibitions, comedy, family theatre shows, weddings and more.”
Once reopened, the new-look Assembly Rooms are expected to host hundreds of events each year and attract 160,000 visitors to the city centre.
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Councillor Matthew Holmes, deputy leader of Derby City Council, said: “Securing this funding is another step forward to deliver this project.
“The D2N2 LEP has been a fantastic partner and with their support we can get the new Assembly Rooms open to the public and contributing to the city.”
Minister of State for Local Growth, Jake Berry said: “This government is committed to boosting economic growth across the Midlands Engine and throughout the 海角视频 as we leave the EU on October 31.
“Supporting the physical transformation of the iconic Assembly Rooms is just one of the ways that the Government is helping local communities in Derby to thrive.”