Around 30 new businesses open in Derby city centre in last few months
There has been a welcome boost for customers as around 30 new businesses including cafes, bars, restaurants and other retail outlets have started trading in Derby city centre since May. A new report from the city's two business improvement districts (BIDs) has highlighted the trading uplift and says that even more entrepreneurs will take up empty outlets before the end of the year.
Brad Worley, BID manager for Cathedral Quarter and St Peters Quarter, said: "We are delighted to announce this news, and we want to celebrate the fact that Derby has welcomed so many new businesses trading in the city.
“Since May, more than 30 businesses have set up and we would like to officially welcome these entrepreneurs to our two BID areas. We are also working with a handful of other businesses who are preparing to open by the end of December.
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“We still have empty units in and around Derby, but the findings from our new report are hugely positive. Like every other city across the UK, there are challenges when it comes to city centre trading, but we are determined to strengthen the quality of our city centre streets. The fact that we have seen such a large number of businesses open in Derby in recent months – and more are coming in the next few weeks, is testament to the fact that Derby has a lot to offer."
Derby mum, Anum Zafar, is currently gearing up to open a new cafe on The Strand. She is bringing her artisan bakery and cafe, Glamberry, to the city after trading from an industrial estate on Mansfield Road.
She said: “I started Glamberry four years ago as a hobby and after a year of running the business out of my parents’ kitchen, I expanded to a commercial unit in Derby. I’ve worked tirelessly for the past few years to achieve my dream of opening my own cafe. I am unbelievably excited and proud that I’ve been able to get such a dream location for Glamberry.
“The building is beautiful and when I’ve finished the renovations it’ll be the perfect cafe on The Strand. I’m hoping to create a welcoming environment for my customers to enjoy whilst indulging in coffee and cake."
Houseboat, a South Indian tapas-style restaurant, opened on St Peter's Street in July and has been wowing diners with its Asian dishes. It specialises in food from Kerala and the owners have transformed the building which was once home to the Swiss Cottage café.
Manager Johns Geo said: “We are thrilled to be part of the vibrant Derby community."
Farhan Mahmood also has a new shop in Derby after running his stall in the Eagle Market for 30 years. He now runs his business, BCS Electricals, on Albert Street, next door to Martin’s Fruit, which also relocated from the Eagle Market.
He said: “I struggled to find a shop, but Martin’s Fruits was my neighbour in the market and he helped me. We are now neighbours again and it is great."
For Yunis Alenzi it was an easy decision to open Shwarma Al-Sham on St Peter's Street. He wanted to bring his Syrian-style of food to the city. The 24-year-old said: “I have been living in Derby for 14 years and had been looking for a shop to open. This one is perfect as it is not too big and not too small."
Events organised by the two BIDs bring thousands of people to the city and its ranger teams work closely with organisations such as Derbyshire police and Derby City Council's Streetpride team.
Ranger Scott Harris said: “The rangers are an important resource in the area for sharing information, welcoming visitors, and tackling issues that affect the businesses in our BIDs. We play a crucial role in Derby, and we are so happy that more businesses are opening in the city. It is great to see Derby busier – it’s a win-win."