Becketwell Performance Venue: Backstage photos show epic city views from new Derby venue
As well as taking footage of the venue in a 90 minute tour, we caught up with Senior Project Manager Paul Kelly who gave us an insight into how the project is unfolding.
Becketwell, one of Derby’s exciting regeneration projects in the heart of the city, is set to open in Spring 2025.
DerbyWorld visited Becketwell venue on Thursday July 11, 2024 for a tour of the site that is currently under construction.
More than 100 people are working on site, one of them is Senior Project Manager Paul Kelly who shared details with DerbyWorld about how the work is progressing.
Built on the site of the former Pink Coconut nightclub and several other buildings, the new Becketwell entertainment and conference venue will offer a larger and more adaptable space than anything previously available in Derby city centre.
Three quarters of the glass curtain walling on the east side is now installed. Inside, all the internal work is well underway, giving a good sense of the space within the auditorium and the areas around it.
This photo shows the structure will span four storeys.
Councillor Nadine Peatfield, Leader of Derby City Council and Portfolio Holder for City Centre, Regeneration, Culture and Tourism said: "It's fantastic that we’re now getting a real idea of the impressive scale of the auditorium and a feel of what it will be like when the building opens.
Site manager Josh Bredenkamp gave a guided tour and commentary about the site; he is pictured below with Councillor Nadine Peatfield
‘Becketwell is more than just a building’
“This venue is a key part in making Derby a lively city centre that puts culture at the forefront. It isn't just a building, it's a place where people can come together to learn new things and create innovative ideas. All kinds of events will be hosted here, from business meetings to exciting cultural activities and great entertainment."
The main contractors, Heage-based Bowmer + Kirkland, took over the site in June 2023 and by December, the steel frame and concrete tiers for seating were already complete.
This photo shows impressive views from the first floor that will stretch across the city.
Construction work is progressing to plan with practical completion and handover scheduled for the first quarter of 2025.
The mechanical and electrical systems, which are the building's lifeblood, are also progressing well. The cladding on all the exterior walls is nearing completion, giving the building a finished look from the outside and showcasing its striking architectural design.
The massive birdcage scaffolding that supported the terraced seating is being dismantled in the coming weeks, now that the acoustic ceiling work is finished.
As seen here, there is extensive scaffolding in place. This is the view from the first floor.
‘An honour to work on the Becketwell project’
Christian Parnell, Regional Director Bowmer + Kirkland, said: “We are delighted with our progress onsite and are on course for this exciting new leisure destination to be handed over early next year.
“As a Derbyshire-based company, it is an honour for our team to be part of such an important scheme for the city and wider region.”
The venue is set to host over 200 cultural and commercial events each year and is expected to attract an additional 250,000 visitors to the city.
This photo shows where one - of several - bars that is currently being built.
It will complement the activities of Derby Arena to provide the best possible events programme for Derby and the wider region.
It is also expected to create over 200 new local jobs and provide the impetus to kick-start further investment in surrounding areas of the city centre.
Who owns Becketwell?
The venue will be owned by Derby City Council.
It will be leased to, and operated by ASM Global, one of the world’s leading venue management and services companies, and producer of live experiences, whose portfolio includes OVO Arena Wembley, AO Arena (Manchester), first direct Arena (Leeds) and Olympia and OVO Hydro (Glasgow).
Here is a photo of the performance venue that is set to be a cultural hub in the heart of the city.
Derby’s new venue forms the second phase of the £200m Becketwell regeneration scheme, said to be the most significant urban rejuvenation project for more than three decades.
The regeneration project has been undertaken in stages.
Phase One The Condor, Springwell Square
Phase one includes the city’s first purpose-built build-to-rent scheme. The Condor is owned and operated by Grainger plc and now almost fully let. The adjacent Springwell Square, a new public green space for the city, officially opened in September 2023.
The Becketwell scheme is being developed by St James Securities, a privately-owned Leeds-based property developer, with a track record of delivering successful major regeneration schemes.
Paul Morris, Development Director at St James Securities, said: “"Five years ago, discussions started on transforming this derelict five-acre city centre site, and now we're witnessing the vision for Derby's long-awaited new entertainment and conference centre come to life.
“We look forward to celebrating the completion of the arena with a topping- out ceremony in the autumn.”
Future planned phases of the Becketwell scheme include potential for a hotel, and purpose-built student residential.