A new time capsule has been sealed within the walls of Derby Market Hall, containing a snapshot of life in Derby in 2024 for future generations to uncover.
Construction partner Wates and Derby City Council joined together to inter the capsule at a special event on Thursday 31 October. The new capsule now sits alongside two others, dating from 1864 and 1938, that were uncovered during the £35m refurbishment of the historic venue.
These two previous capsules went on display at the Local Studies Library, where they captured the imagination of visitors who provided their own suggestions of items to include in this latest capsule.
All key partners involved in the project have provided items including letters from Councillor Nadine Peatfield, Leader of the Council, and Tim Wates, Chairman at Wates.
Architects Lathams have provided architectural drawings, while Hemingway Design, branding partner for the project, have included a copy of the new visual identity document.
The capsule itself is a length of pipe provided by Cadent Gas, and Sealed within are a diverse range of items, contributed by businesses across the city, that reflect life in Derby in 2024.
This includes a 3D printed submarine from Rolls Royce, the latest Food and Drinks guide from Marketing Derby, and a model Toyota Corolla. A selection of photos showcase Derby’s diverse communities and vibrant events, including 2024’s Derby Pride, the 2023 Lantern Parade and Caribbean Carnival.
The £35m transformation of the historic Market Hall - which is partly funded with £9.43m from the Government’s Future High Streets Fund - is well underway, providing a new hub for creatives, makers and traders, building on the city’s heritage of innovation and industry.
Businesses throughout the region are registering their interest in operating from the refurbished Market Hall, which will bring together the best of the region’s independent shopping, eating, drinking and entertainment when it reopens in Spring 2025.
Councillor Nadine Peatfield, Leader of Derby City Council, said:
This is an exciting moment in the Market Hall project as we seal a snapshot of 21st Century life for generations to come.
I’m overwhelmed by the response to this project. We have so many businesses and groups represented in this capsule, giving future generations a real insight into what life was like here in Derby in 2024.
It’s a strange concept, not knowing when these items will be uncovered. I hope that whenever this capsule is opened, people will get a sense of what life was like in Derby in 2024 and see it as a vibrant, diverse and thriving city.
All that is for the future, but for now we’ll continue to press on with the refurbishment and I look forward to seeing the Market Hall open again in 2025.
Tim Wates, Chairman for Wates, said:
It was an honour to include a piece of Wates in the time capsule. Wates is proud to have managed the regeneration of this Grade II Listed Victorian Market Hall, originally designed by Derbyshire engineer Rowland Mason Ordish, into a vibrant cultural and retail destination. Guided by our commitment to reimagining spaces where people can thrive, we’ve focused on preserving heritage while enhancing accessibility, safety, and wellbeing. We’ve worked diligently to create a space that supports diverse uses, with the goal of revitalising the city’s day and night-time economies. Time will tell if the capsule is recovered, but it is a legacy we are proud to be involved in.