Derby City Centre has welcomed over thirty new businesses since May, according to the latest report from the city’s two Business Improvement Districts (BIDs).
New cafés, bars and restaurants and a range of other independent shops are now trading within the Cathedral Quarter Business Improvement District (BID) and the St Peters Quarter Business Improvement District (BID) areas.
Brad Worley, BID Manager for Cathedral Quarter and St Peters Quarter, said: “We are delighted to announce this news, and we want to celebrate the fact that Derby has welcomed so many new businesses trading in the city.
“Since May, more than 30 businesses have set up and we would like to officially welcome these entrepreneurs our two BID areas. We are also working with a handful of other businesses who are preparing to open before the end of the year.
“We still have empty units in and around Derby, but the findings from our new report are hugely positive. Like every other city across the UK, there are challenges when it comes to city centre trading, but we are determined to strengthen the quality of our city centre streets.
“The fact that we have seen such a large number of businesses open in Derby in recent months – and more are coming in the next few weeks, is testament to the fact that Derby has a lot to offer.”
Derby mum, Anum Zafar, is currently gearing up to open a new cafe on The Strand in Derby. She is bringing her artisan bakery, Glamberry, to the city after trading from an industrial estate on Mansfield Road.
She said: “I started Glamberry four years ago as a hobby and after a year of running the business out of my parents’ kitchen, I expanded to a commercial unit in Derby.
“I’ve worked tirelessly for the past few years to achieve my dream of opening my own café. I am unbelievably excited and proud that I’ve been able to get such a dream location for Glamberry.
“The building is beautiful and when I’ve finished the renovations it’ll be the perfect café on The Strand. I’m hoping to create a welcoming environment for my customers to enjoy whilst indulging in coffee and cake!”
Houseboat, a South Indian tapas-style restaurant, opened on St Peters Street in July and has been wowing diners with its Asian dishes. It specialises in food from Kerala, a region of South India, and the owners have transformed the building which was once home to the Swiss Cottage café.
Manager, Johns Geo, said: “We are thrilled to be part of the vibrant Derby community. We are excited to bring our unique flavours and warm hospitality to the area and look forward to serving the wonderful people of Derby.”
Farhan Mahmood also has a new shop in Derby after running his stall in the Eagle Market for 30 years. He now runs his business, BCS Electricals, on Albert Street, next door to Martin’s Fruit, who also relocated from the Eagle Market.
He said: “I struggled to find a shop, but Martin’s Fruits was my neighbour in the market, and he helped me. We are now neighbours again and it is great.”
For Yunis Alenzi it was an easy decision to open Shwarma Al-Sham on St Peters Street. He wanted to bring his Syrian-style of food to the city.
The 24-year-old said: “I have been living in Derby for 14 years and had been looking for a shop to open. This one is perfect as it is not too big and not too small.”
