“Developing an exciting and deliverable replacement for the Assembly Rooms has been a long time coming and we know how frustrating this journey has been for residents – I have shared this frustration and welcome the opportunity to enter into a contract with our preferred development partners,” stated Councillor Nadine Peatfield.
This statement comes as Derby City Council prepares to appoint Vinci UK Developments and Ion Developments as partners for the Market Place redevelopment. The planning application for this project will be reviewed by the Council’s Planning Control Committee later this spring, with demolition of the Assembly Rooms expected to take around 12 months once initiated.
In a separate incident, Derbyshire police reported a serious event where a man was arrested after a car hit multiple pedestrians, resulting in some injuries. “Although we know this will be alarming, we would like to reassure people that we do not believe there is an ongoing risk to the public,” the police stated. Catherine Atkinson expressed her concern, saying, “My thoughts are with those injured and I’m grateful to our emergency services.” A section of Friar Gate in Derby is expected to be closed for some time following this incident.
Meanwhile, excitement builds for the upcoming Good Friday Derby on April 3, 2026, which will mark the 250th meeting between Hull FC and Hull KR. Tickets for this historic match are now on sale exclusively to 2026 members, with adult tickets priced at £30, concessions at £25, and juniors at £15. Infants aged 0-3 can attend for free, provided they have a match ticket.
Steve Parry, a representative from the development team, expressed optimism about the future, stating, “We are looking forward to progressing through the various stages of the development process, including securing planning consent which will enable the demolition of Assembly Rooms and multi-storey car park, to be implemented.”
The anticipation for the derby is palpable, as fans prepare for what promises to be a memorable event in Hull’s sporting calendar. With the backdrop of ongoing developments in Derby, the community is eager to witness both the sporting and infrastructural transformations ahead.