Derby really is a wonderful place to live. An area of great talent and fabulous people, that always has had creativity and innovation at its heart.
Levelling up is a central part of the Government’s ambition. We want to ensure that both people and communities across the country can thrive.
Changes are already underway to level up Derby and reimagine the city centre as a thriving and dynamic destination. This week I have been delighted to welcome the news that an investment of £20 million of Government funding will be used to build a new theatre in the city centre. The venture is part of the Government’s Levelling Up Fund and will enable the performance venue to be built on the site of the former Assembly Rooms. Finally allowing us to utilise a space located in the heart of our city.
Called Assemble - the venue will be a learning theatre constructed in partnership with the University of Derby. The creation of a new theatre will not only help to put Derby on the map as a destination for culture, but its residents will also benefit from the power that arts and culture have to change people’s lives for the better whilst also helping to boost the local economy. Levelling up Derby making it an even greater place to live, work and enjoy!
These are exciting times for our wonderful city, and I can’t wait to see work start to create a theatre which is bigger and better than anything we have had before.
There has been good news for Derby this week and I hope this is just the start of good things to come for our great city. Not only has Derby been a shining example of the Government’s Levelling Up agenda, but there are more opportunities in the pipeline.
I write to assure you that I am continuously campaigning for the city to become the home of the Great British Railways Headquarters. Derby is the past, present, and future of the rail industry and I have consistently stressed how important centralising the nation’s rail network in our city would be for our economy and people, with the creation of hundreds of jobs and increased chance of further future outside investment.
This all signifies the Government's determination to help cities like Derby build back better and stronger.
We want to ensure that both people and communities across the country can thrive. This means creating opportunities for everyone across the UK by improving jobs, pay and living standards, making streets safer, protecting health and wellbeing, investing in streets and town centres, and improving local transport.
