Derby's award-winning City Lab based on global 'Urban Room' relocated to Derbion
Urban Rooms are popular concepts across the world at cosmopolitan spots in Amsterdam and Shanghai
Shopping and education are rare bedfellows, however the people of Derby can get ready to embrace both in one place this spring.
Derby City Lab, which aims to engage the wider community and help people better understand the evolution of the city, will be relocating to Derbion shopping centre.
It is based on the concept of Urban Rooms in global cities such as London, Amsterdam and Shanghai, where people come together to learn about their community, and investment pipelines that could impact the future of their city.
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When it first launched in 2022, the lab was housed in a unit in St James’s Street, provided courtesy of Clowes Developments.
Now, the lab, which is a public-private partnership involving Marketing Derby, Derby City Council and the University of Derby, is relocating to Level 2 of Derbion, which becomes one of its partners for 2024.
The new incarnation of the lab will open its doors for the first time on February 20, to welcome delegates from Marketing Derby’s Annual Business Event. It will then open to the public seven days a week from March 4.
Beth McDonald, managing director at Derbion, said: “We are delighted to be working with Marketing Derby in bringing the national award-winning Derby City Lab to Derbion.
“We know our visitors will be excited to see the plans and development projects that will transform Derby’s city centre over the coming years.”
Adam Rodgers, inward investment executive at Marketing Derby and Derby City Lab lead, said: “Our fantastic new location will enable us to build on the huge success of the award-winning lab.
“It presents a great opportunity to engage with a wide variety of people, gain their feedback and discuss ideas on regenerating the city centre.”
Last year, the public/private partnership behind the lab, which also included Clowes and Lathams, was recognised at EG Awards, organised by Estates Gazettes, winning the Public/Private Partnership Award, ahead of entries submitted by London Brent Cross, Liverpool and Manchester.
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The new incarnation of Derby City Lab will house the City Living Room, which includes detailed information about the city’s investment plans.
The centrepiece will be the brand-new Derby City Model – a detailed 3D model of Derby city centre, which aims to help visitors visualise the city’s ongoing regeneration story.
The lab will also host a rolling programme of dynamic exhibitions and discussion groups focused on ideas to regenerate Derby.
It will be manned by Marketing Derby staff and ‘lab assistants’, which the inward investment agency is currently in the process of recruiting.
The new lab will be located on Level 2 of Derbion, next to Castle Galleries and opposite Frasers/Sports Direct and M&S.