Derby is to ask the Government for almost £24 million to fund schemes which it is hoped will attract more visitors and create hundreds of jobs in the city centre.
Later this month, Derby City Council will submit a bid for a £23.7 million chunk of the Government’s £1 billion Future High Streets Fund, which it intends to invest in a number of key schemes.
According to the authority, the money will help create new office space and public areas, while also enabling the city to utilise digital technology to improve the visitor experience.
It will also help Derby establish new “gateways” to the city centre and better connect key areas.
The city council has said that if its application is successful, it would unlock a total investment of £100 million, with the rest of the money coming from the local authority and private investors.
The Derby business plan includes the regeneration of the Becketwell area of the city centre, where a major redevelopment by St James Securities is planned.
Money from the government fund, which has been set up to re-energise 海角视频 city and town centres, would be used to convert an existing building and build a new development creating 18,000 sq ft 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 being delivered by St James Securities.
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Cash from the fund would also go towards transforming the historic Market Hall, securing the future of the Grade 2-listed building by making it a venue for food and drink and themed markets, featuring a “make-and-trade” zone for new entrepreneurs and space for events and activities.
Some of the money would be used to enhance the digital infrastructure in the city centre, 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.
Another initiative that would receive funding is the creation of a “St Peters Demonstrator Unit”, which involves 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.
Finally, money from the fund would be used for the Eastern Gateway project. This would see new entrances created at Intu, from the bus station along East Street.
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.
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According to the city council, a successful application to the fund would be a major boost to Derby’s efforts to reshape and renew its economy following the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Councillor Matthew Holmes, deputy leader of Derby City Council and cabinet member for regeneration, planning and transportation, said: “Successful city centres are the ones able to combine great retail and leisure offerings with residential and business use.
“Our Future High Street Fund bid, viewed alongside schemes like the Nightingale Quarter and Castleward housing developments and the new Museum of Making, will help to shape a city centre that can be a great place to live, work and relax.”