Derby City Council confirms new operator being considered for Market Hall

Derby's Market Hall. Image by LDRS.

A private operator could be put in place to run Derby’s Market Hall amid forecasts of a six-figure loss for the venue.

Derby City Council papers revealed the historic venue – which opened last year following a £35 million renovation – was set for a £338,000 loss by the end of the financial year.

Financial papers state the predicted loss is due to “a shortfall of trader income”.

But bosses of the Labour-led authority played the figure down, insisting the £338,000 forecast loss “does not represent the full-year position for the Market Hall”.

The authority said it was looking to “enhance the overall offer”.

Now it has emerged that a future option for consideration is for the council to seek a private operator to run it on its behalf.

This latest development comes amid an internal council review of the commercial operative performance of the Market Hall.

This follows public criticism of the reopening of the Market Hall in terms of its stalls and footfall.

Council chiefs are currently evaluating the findings of the review, the Local Democracy Reporting Service has been told.

The council said it would not publish the review’s findings in full to the public but “some information” will be available in the public domain for a future meeting.

The meeting, likely to be held later this year, will see Labour leaders reflect on the Market Hall’s reopening so far and discuss “further considerations”.

Other council-owned venues, such as entertainment venue Vaillant Live in the city centre and the Moorways Sports Village swimming complex, are run by private operators on the authority’s behalf.

Council leader Nadine Peatfield said: “We are committed to making the Market Hall the best that it can be for the city’s residents and beyond.

“We have already undertaken a review of Derby Market Hall, and a report will be prepared for cabinet to consider in the autumn. Part of this will explore relationships with external operators and what value they could add to the Market Hall.

“The Market Hall has faced challenges since opening, but we are committed to its future success. We will continue to work with our traders and partners to do the right thing for this historic building and our city.”

Earlier this month, shoppers in Derby questioned the Market Hall’s operation and a decision to close it on Mondays.

Daniel, originally from Boston in the USA, said: “There’s not much going on in there. It’s quiet. When I go into a lot of the shops seem to be shut, which is similar to the streets here.”, and Mick added: “All that money spent on it and there’s nothing there. It used to be such a thriving and busy place.”