City Lab official opening follows Property Summit conclusion

The conclusion of this year’s Derby Property Summit was followed by the official opening of a new space in the city centre, designed to engage, inform and inspire people about plans to shape the city going forward.

Following the end of yesterday’s summit, many of the delegates went to nearby St James Street to watch Aneesa Ahmed, an architectural and venue design graduate at the University of Derby, cut the ribbon on Derby City Lab.

Backed by Marketing Derby, the University of Derby, Derby City Council and Lathams, the space houses Marketing Derby’s Investor Showcase and a rolling programme of exhibitions focused on future pipeline projects and ideas.

The first exhibition is being hosted by Down to Earth Derby and features visions for a greener city produced by the world-leading Eden Project.

The unit, which has been provided courtesy of Clowes Developments, is adjacent to the city’s regeneration frontline, close to the £200 million Becketwell scheme.

It is also close to Marketing Derby’s new office location at Staton Young’s Cubo Derby site, in Victoria Street.

Derby City Lab is an initiative based on the concept of ‘urban rooms’, which have appeared in various cities around the world to help local communities better understand the evolution of their place and engage them in shaping its future.

Derby City Lab is being manned by Marketing Derby staff and a team of volunteers – or ‘change-makers’.

Initially, its weekly opening hours will be every Wednesday, from 12noon to 4pm and every Thursday, from 3pm to 7pm.

Bondholders who would like to find out more about the Derby City Lab or becoming a ‘change-maker’ should e-mail derbycitylab@marketingderby.co.uk.

Alternatively, visit the Derby City Lab web page at marketingderby.co.uk/derbycitylab.