November on the blog: Bringing it back to Derby City Centre

I moved to Derby in 2011 as a baby-faced youth with her family and over the years have watched this city blossom in its potential. It’ll be strange to see some literature speak so highly of our dear city so bear with me, but I am so pro-Derby. I moved when the city centre was dire. Most of the large buildings were closed with shops standing empty and the streets filled with people just finding places to hang out rather than having any purpose. I was nervous to walk through the centre, choosing instead to always peruse what was the Westfield Centre, and had little to no knowledge of the vast amount of heritage that fills this city and the surrounding areas.

Over the years the investment in our city has shown what we are capable of. Houses are being erected in the city centre with more schooling facilities and amenities for families. A new university building has just opened its doors welcoming members of the public to use it for co-working and training spaces (if you haven’t been inside the Cavendish building you really should – it’s stunning!). World foods have grown exponentially with places like the Market Hall offering street food options like Shio (a Japanese sushi spot) while other restaurants like OMOMO (Korean – delicious!) scatter the outskirts of the city. Vaillant Live now brings in music and acts that previously would have gone to larger cities, and informative collections such as Great Northern Classics bring excitement to those wanting to peruse old cars and history. 

Derby Fest re-opened this year – a free city centre event celebrating the arts, and that’s just one calendar activity that happens each year that sees thousands of people flood the streets of Derby. Sadler Gate Night Market is on the horizon and it’s always heaving every year.

I love it here. I now raise 4 children in this city and every weekend I am never struggling for activities to do. Museums, collections, parks, heritage sites, shops, restaurants, entertainment venues…..this city is swollen with exciting opportunities and activity! Yes, we need parking (I know – I heard you think it as you read this article), but we must look at the amazing journey this city has been on over just the last 10 years and look to the future for what’s yet to come. There’s more investment and there’s a heap more growth. Our city centre is finally thriving. I for one am excited.