Council to carry out review of revamped market hall

A review of Derby Market Hall is set to be carried out by the city council.

The Market Hall reopened in May last year after a £35m refurbishment, but has faced criticism from some over empty units and a lack of traditional market traders.

However, Derby City Council has defended its performance and said the review of its operating model and marketing strategy was "standard practice" for a "new commercial venture".

The leader of the Derby Conservatives Steve Hassell believed the Market Hall had "real potential" and that the refurbishment was "tastefully done", but felt that the building's potential was "not being realised".

He added: "I think the public have been quite clear about how they feel, how it looks, and what it delivers.

"It is a market hall without a market in it – that is the real rub here.

"It is basically the offer, I do not cast any sort of doubt or negativity on the traders.

"The council are failing them in not giving them the right sort of environment.

"The council quote footfall, but that is not a mark of success.

"It is whether the traders are making a living and the people that go in there feel like it is a place they want to return to."

Lucy Care, who represents the Littleover ward for the Liberal Democrats, said the review was "timely".

Care said she believes the council should focus less on running events and activities at the hall and more on bringing in a wider variety of traders.

She also said there were "issues" with the Market Hall closing before 16:00 GMT on Tuesday and Wednesday, which was "no good" because potential customers would be unlikely to visit during work hours.

The city council's Labour leader Nadine Peatfield said it was still "early days" for the market and encouraged people to support it.

"We do have to let these things bed in and give it every opportunity", she told a meeting of the council's executive scrutiny board last week.

"There are always going to be learning curves and teething problems...we're working through all of those."

A Derby City Council spokesperson said there was "no fixed timeline" for the review and that it could "take a few months."

The spokesperson added: "This is standard practice for any new commercial venture, ensuring the Market Hall meets the needs of our traders and the public.

"The review will include looking at the original business case against the current operating model to identify any recommendations going forwards.

"A key part of this process will involve further engagement with our traders – which the council's commercial manager has already started – and will also include engaging with customers.

"While there is no fixed timeline, a project of this nature can take a few months and we want to ensure we take the necessary time to get it right."

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