As a resident of Derby for over 15 years, I can say with authority that I have seen the city change and go through various evolutions.
First off, Derby is not the only place in the UK that is struggling.
Walk down any high street in the country and you are most likely to see empty, boarded up shops, or hoardings that appear to be a permanent fixture, promising of good things to come.
People are frustrated by this, their discontent over empty shops spilling over online as they take to social media to lambast the council, and wider local and central government.
My most recent visit to Derby city centre filled me with hope and here’s why.
Derby has some innovative operators creating new experiences and events in the city.
New businesses are attracted to the city, and the knock-on effect is customers are also drawn to explore these businesses and the area too.
Here are three reasons why my trip to Derby city centre fills me with hope.
1. Cathedral Quarter Artisan Trail at The Wardwick Derby
David Turner and Steve Culf from Derby Uncovered have been running various Artisan Uncovered events over the past few years. Their most recent iteration was Cathedral Quarter Artisan Trail which saw local craftspeople pitch up around the city centre and offer handmade wares to the people of Derby. | Ria Ghei
2. The Wardwick Derby
I visited one of the locations on the trail that was the old library building at The Wardwick. | Ria Ghei
3. Cathedral Quarter Artisan Trail at The Wardwick Derby
It was bustling, there was a great vibe and above all, it was great to see a beautiful building being used. | Ria Ghei
4. Derby Market Hall can be one of the city's biggest draws with innovative plans that draw people back into the city
This may be a controversial choice. However I believe both Derby Market Hall and Osnabrück Square bear the hallmarks of making Derby a destination city. Since opening in May earlier this year, the hall has been blighted by negative commentary. Is the hate justified? No. Were missteps made by the Derby Market Hall management team made? Yes, I believe so, in that more traders could have been signed up before doors opened on Saturday, May 24. The market hall did not appear to be at full capacity, with a clutch of traders that could have been more diverse. What needs to be balanced is that people’s shopping habits have changed. As much as I miss traditional shopping centres and markets - I remember Eagle Centre Market being packed in the late 90s when I was a student here - I believe their place belongs in the past. The pandemic turbo-charged digital transformation as businesses invested in online infrastructure and pivoted to take their services online. It may be convenient for people to buy items in just a few clicks and have them delivered within the hour. This takes custom away from the high street and directly online. Bricks and mortar businesses therefore have to work harder to tempt customers away from online offerings and bring them through their shop's doors. This is being successfully done, in fledgling steps, by Derby Market Hall. | Ria Ghei