Wednesday, 16 September 2026
Tina Jesson speaks with Nadine Peatfield, Leader of Derby City Council, following the announcement that ION has been appointed as the strategic development partner for the regeneration of Derby’s Market Place and the long‑neglected Assembly Rooms site.
The Assembly Rooms has stood empty since a fire in 2014, becoming one of Derby’s most visible frustrations. Under the newly signed Master Development Agreement, ION will work with the council to deliver a major city‑centre redevelopment — including Derby MADE, a multi‑use building featuring a music venue, cultural and exhibition space, a library for young people and families, and flexible working areas.
The wider plans include Derby HOTEL, a new four‑star hotel, and Derby WORKS, providing modern office space designed to bring more people into the city centre to live and work.
Nadine explains when residents will start to see visible progress, confirming that demolition of the Assembly Rooms is expected to begin in the New Year, after Christmas events in the Market Place. The demolition phase will take around 12 months, with the full redevelopment expected to take five years.
Rob discusses how the development can increase footfall, attract new businesses, and help reshape Derby’s city centre for the future — turning a long‑standing eyesore into a destination that supports culture, work and community life.
For Derby residents who have waited more than a decade to see movement on the site, the agreement marks a significant milestone — and attention now turns to the moment work begins on the ground.