More than 100 people are now working on the site of Derby’s new £45.8m entertainment and conference venue as the auditorium begins to reveal its size and scale.
Built on the site of the former Pink Coconut nightclub and several other buildings, the new Becketwell entertainment and conference venue offers a much larger and more adaptable space than anything previously available in the city centre.
Three quarters of the glass curtain walling on the east side is now installed. Inside, all the internal work is well underway, giving a good sense of the space within the auditorium and the areas around it.
Councillor Nadine Peatfield, Leader of Derby City Council and Portfolio Holder for City Centre, Regeneration, Culture and Tourism said: “It’s fantastic that we’re now getting a real idea of the impressive scale of the auditorium and a feel of what it will be like when the building opens.
“This venue is a key part in making Derby a lively city centre that puts culture at the forefront. It isn’t just a building; it’s a place where people can come together to learn new things and create innovative ideas. All kinds of events will be hosted here, from business meetings to exciting cultural activities and great entertainment.”
The main contractors, Heage-based Bowmer + Kirkland, took over the site in June 2023 and by December, the steel frame and concrete tiers for seating were already complete.
Construction work is progressing to plan with practical completion and handover scheduled for the first quarter of 2025.
The mechanical and electrical systems, which are the building’s lifeblood, are also progressing well. The cladding on all the exterior walls is nearing completion, giving the building a finished look from the outside and showcasing its striking architectural design.
The massive birdcage scaffolding that supported the terraced seating is being dismantled in the coming weeks, now that the acoustic ceiling work is finished.
Christian Parnell, Regional Director, Bowmer + Kirkland, said: “We are delighted with our progress on site and are on course for this exciting new leisure destination to be handed over early next year. As a Derbyshire-based company, it is an honour for our team to be part of such an important scheme for the city and wider region.”
The venue is set to host over 200 cultural and commercial events each year and expected to attract an additional 250,000 visitors to the city.
It is also expected to create over 200 new local jobs and provide the impetus to kick-start further investment in surrounding areas of the city centre.
The venue will be owned by Derby City Council and leased to and operated by ASM Global, the venue management and services company, and producer of live experiences, whose UK portfolio includes OVO Arena Wembley, AO Arena (Manchester), first direct Arena (Leeds) and Olympia and OVO Hydro (Glasgow).
The new 3,500 capacity entertainment and conference venue forms the second phase of the £200m Becketwell regeneration scheme. Phase one includes the city’s first purpose-built Build to Rent scheme. The Condor is owned and operated by Grainger plc and now almost fully let. The adjacent Springwell Square, a new public green space for the city, officially opened in September 2023.
The Becketwell scheme is being developed by St James Securities, a privately-owned Leeds-based property developer.
Paul Morris, Development Director at St James Securities, said: “Five years ago, discussions started on transforming this derelict five-acre city centre site, and now we’re witnessing the vision for Derby’s long-awaited new entertainment and conference centre come to life.
“We look forward to celebrating the completion of the arena with a topping-out ceremony in the autumn.”
Future planned phases of the Becketwell scheme include potential for a hotel and purpose-built student residential.
