“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,” said Councillor Nadine Peatfield, reflecting on the long-awaited redevelopment plans for Derby.
In a significant move, Derby City Council is set to appoint Vinci UK Developments and Ion Developments as development partners for the Market Place redevelopment. This comes after years of planning and community anticipation, with the planning application to be considered by the Council’s Planning Control Committee later this spring.
Meanwhile, the excitement in the local sports community is palpable as the Good Friday Derby approaches. Scheduled for April 3, 2026, this match will mark the 250th meeting between Hull FC and Hull KR, a historic milestone for both teams.
Tickets for this much-anticipated event are already 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.
In a more somber note, Derbyshire police recently addressed a serious incident where a man was arrested after a car hit multiple pedestrians, leaving some seriously injured. “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,” stated a police spokesperson.
Catherine Atkinson, a local resident, expressed her concern, saying, “My thoughts are with those injured and I’m grateful to our emergency services.” The incident has led to a section of Friar Gate in Derby being closed for an extended period.
As the community navigates these developments, the demolition of the Assembly Rooms is expected to take around 12 months to complete once it begins. “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,” said Steve Parry, a representative of the development team.
With the Derby scene evolving rapidly, both in sports and urban development, residents and fans alike are eager to see how these changes will unfold in the coming years.