Five projects are set to benefit from £10 million of Government funding through the Team Derby partnership.
Over £6 million alone is due to be invested in improvements to Derby City Centre as part of the scheme to boost growth in the city and wider region.
Team Derby is a partnership of Derby City Council, East Midlands Mayor Claire Ward and Derby’s MPs, alongside partners from business, education and central Government. Its focus is on bringing about real improvement for communities through job creation, skills development and regeneration.
It aims to position Derby as a leading UK location for innovation and industry collaboration, particularly across the defence, clean energy and rail sectors. The initiative is designed to support local people into skilled jobs, strengthen supply chains, and ensure investment benefits communities across the city.
A multi-million investment in the city centre’s public realm will see improvements in areas such as lighting, active travel, landscaping, wayfinding and public safety. By recognising the role that high-quality public spaces play in supporting economic growth, these plans are designed to increase footfall, improve perceptions of the centre, strengthen commercial activity, and create the conditions for further development in future.
Other plans include a proposal to expand technical education provision for 16 to 18-year-olds, through partnerships led by the University of Derby. This will help to provide the future talent for Derby’s key sectors of aerospace, rail, nuclear, advanced manufacturing and clean energy.
There will also be investment to create a Skills Hub in the city centre to bring together employers, education providers and young people; extension of the Council’s Vacant to Vibrant scheme which brings unused commercial spaces back to life; and a project to establish a World Craft Academy and Craft Skills Observatory at QUAD.
Councillor Nadine Peatfield, Leader of Derby City Council, said:
“This investment into Derby is fantastic news.
“Recent months have seen some very positive economic developments for the city, with the announcement of the Great British Railways headquarters and Rolls-Royce securing a £2.5 billion government contract to build the next generation of jet engines. Team Derby is about ensuring this success continues by providing the pipeline of skills our successful businesses need and ensuring the city is a place where people want to live and work.
“By improving our city centre environment and investing in the next generation of local talent, we’re ensuring the foundations are in place for future growth.”
Mayor of the East Midlands, Claire Ward, said:
“Team Derby is a great example of what we can achieve when employers, educators and Government work towards a shared ambition for the future of our region.
"The announcement of these five projects, backed by £10 million of funding, is an important step in turning that ambition into real opportunities for people across Derby and the wider East Midlands.
"I want everyone across our region to feel they have the tools they need to succeed, whatever their background or postcode. By working together and investing in local people, we can make sure more residents benefit from the opportunities being created here in Derby and across the East Midlands.”
Derby South MP Baggy Shanker added:
“Derby has earned its reputation as a city of makers. We launched Team Derby because we’re just as ambitious for our city centre and the people who live here as we are for our industries. With £10 million from this Labour Government, we’ve got the backing to put that ambition into practice.
“These plans would give people more to enjoy in our city centre, bring empty properties back into use and help our local businesses attract more customers. Expanding technical education provision would give more young people the skills to start good careers in the city they call home. We’re investing in the places people spend their time and the opportunities their families can build a future on.”
As the Council is the accountable body for Team Derby, Cabinet members will be asked to note the funding allocation and delegate decisions on individual projects to the appropriate officers and cabinet members, at their next meeting on Wednesday 11 November.