Derby is on the up. The East Midlands city is currently in the midst of a multi-billion (yep, with a ‘b’) regeneration project which began way back in 2011. A staggering £4.48 billion has already been pumped into the city centre’s infrastructure – and there’s £2.6 billion still to come.
Later this month one of the grand centrepieces of Derby’s revamp will be unveiled. The city’s Victorian market hall, which dates back to 1866 and is Grade II-listed, will reopen to the public following a spectacular £35.1 million makeover.
Derby Market Hall closed for its refurb in 2021, and in the past four or so years the structure has seen some big changes. Most importantly its cast iron, copper and glass roof has been extensively restored – previously, the building was prone to closing on especially windy, rainy or snowy days due to the danger of windows coming out of their frames.
Derby City Council appointed design consultancy Hemingway Design to revamp the hall, which will open with a range of traders offering eating, drinking, shopping and entertainment options. The traders will be independent and from Derby, Derbyshire and the East Midlands, and the council says that the market will generate £3.64m for the local economy each year.
Already confirmed as traders are winery Darley Abbey Wines, sustainable fashion outlet The Oddities Store, Sri Lankan street food spot Columbo Street, Jamaican ‘soul food’ space Back-a-Yard Cuisine and Venezuelan food stop Arepita, among others.
Derby Market Hall’s grand reopening will be on May 24 2025, nearly 159 years to the day since its original opening on May 29 1866. The opening will be followed by a week of free events, and in July the landscaping around the hall will be finished with gardens, pop-up food stalls, art installations and a performance space.
You can find out more – including all the traders and events – on the Derby Market Hall website here.
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