Visitor numbers at new-look Derby City Lab pass 6,000 mark

The number of visitors to the new-look Derby City Lab has passed the 6,000 mark.

The lab first opened in its new location on Level 2 of the Derbion shopping centre back in March.

Since then, people have flocked through the doors to find out more about Derby’s regeneration story.

Staffed by a team of newly recruited customer assistants, Marketing Derby staff and volunteer ‘changemakers’, the lab is open seven days a week (Monday to Wednesday 10am to 4pm, Thursday to Saturday 11am to 5pm and Sunday 11am to 4pm).

Located between Castle Galleries and Goldsmiths (and opposite Frasers/Sports Direct and Marks & Spencer), the purpose of the lab is to engage the wider community in better understanding the evolution of the city and investment pipeline.

Previously situated in St James’s Street, the new-look lab is a public/private partnership involving Marketing Derby, Derby City Council, the University of Derby and Derbion.

Adam Rodgers, inward investment executive at Marketing Derby and Derby City Lab lead, said: “We’re absolutely delighted that so many people have taken the time to come and visit the lab and find out more about the exciting plans for Derby’s future.

“Derbion has an impressive footfall – and one of the key reasons for moving the lab to the centre was to reach more people. The figures speak for themselves.”

The centrepiece of the new-look city lab is the Derby City Model – a detailed 3D model of Derby city centre, which aims to help visitors visualise the city’s ongoing regeneration story.

It also houses the City Living Room, which includes detailed information about the city’s investment pipeline, as well as a 300-year timeline of the city.

Visitors can also view the city of the future by watching a film all about the University of Derby’s Derby Urban Sustainable Transition (DUST) project.

Adam said: “Derby is constantly evolving and changing – and the content within the lab mirrors that.

“We have some exciting new content and updates to look forward to – so there will be something for both first-time and repeat visitors.”

To find out more about the Derby City Lab and to plan your visit go to https://derbycitylab.com/.