A £4m refurbishment programme to transform the historic Marble Hall building in Derby into a managed workspace scheme and community hub has now been completed.
The iconic former Rolls-Royce building on Nightingale Road in the Osmaston area of Derby has been empty since Rolls-Royce’s relocation in 2007 and is the centre-piece of Derby City Council’s Osmaston Regeneration Partnership in the heart of the Osmaston transformational Regeneration Zone.
Over the past 12 months the grade-two listed building, which is one of the city’s most recognised landmarks, has been the subject of a major refurbishment to transform it into a £4m community hub, with a vibrant managed workspace facility and a range of complementary facilities that are in high demand from the local community.
The refurbishment of the building, which has been carried out by contractors Robert Woodhead and project managed by Sue Hunter from the regeneration project team at Derby City Council, has included various structural works, including the installation of a new wiring and heating systems. The exterior of the building has also received a face-lift, with the refurbishment and installation of new windows.
It will be the first venture for Connect in the Community, a new initiative which aims to attract and support social enterprises, voluntary, community groups and charities to the area, along with new start-ups and growing businesses. It is hoped this will meet the needs of both Derby’s disadvantaged communities and the Derby economy as a whole.
Accommodation will include 42 high specification offices, ranging in size from 100 sq ft to 800 sq ft and including a penthouse suite.
The facility will also include a nursery with the capacity for 16 two – three year olds and 26 three – four year olds, meeting rooms. YMCA Derbyshire will operate an on-site kitchen and training provision.
Marble Hall will build on the success of the hugely successful Connect Derby scheme, which has created a strong market for serviced offices in the city and forms part of Derby City Council’s commitment to work with the city’s disadvantaged communities.
Businesses based at Marble Hall will benefit from the usual range of services offered by Connect Derby, including superfast broadband, as well as a unique package of business support and mentoring.
Commenting on the completion of Marble Hall, Deputy Leader and Cabinet member for City Centre Regeneration Cllr Martin Rawson said:
“The launch of Marble Hall signals a very exciting time for the Osmaston area. Through surveys and community engagement, we know there is a lot of interest in the services and facilities on offer and I hope the ‘Connect in the Community’ initiative will go a long way towards helping people in the area who are considering starting their own business.”
Connect Derby sees Derby City Council’s workspaces – Friar Gate Studios, Kings Chambers, Sadler Bridge Studios, Shot Tower and Riverside Chambers (former Magistrates’ Court building on Full Street) – come together under one banner in a £14.2m project to create jobs for local people.
The scheme provides micro businesses, entrepreneurs and SMEs with the high specification working environment, IT infrastructure and business support they need to improve business survival rates and act as a catalyst for expansion and growth. It is also hoped that the project will create further jobs by increasing inward investment to the city.
