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New entertainment venue handed over to operators

Kacper Misiarz & Samantha Noble
BBC News, Derby
BBC The outside of Becketwell Live arena which has a dark exterior and many glass windowsBBC
The leader of Derby City Council said the venue would bring footfall to Derby both day and night

The developer of a new £46m entertainment venue has completed the building and handed over the keys to the owner and the operator.

Becketwell Live arena in Derby has now been transferred from developers St James Securities and its construction partner Bowmer and Kirkland to the company which will run the venue, ASM Global.

The 3,500-capacity venue, which is owned by Derby City Council, is due to open this spring.

Derby City Council leader Nadine Peatfield told the BBC "it is another momentous milestone for this building, because today we are handing over the keys to ASM Global."

Seating inside the arena - rows of grey seats on a balcony can be seen.
A free family welcome day is booked at the venue for 5 April

She said the arena was a "game-changer for Derby".

"This is not just a performance venue, this will be a conferencing venue as well - that is daytime and night-time economy."

Peatfield said it was a "really special building" and "when you walk through these doors, this feels class".

She added: "It's a brand new building, which is better than any I have seen in recent years.

"There has been a gap in the market for a long time in Derby for a big performance venue, and we are really excited to see it happening this year."

The inside of the arena - a set of stairs can be seen on the left and glass doors and windows on the right.
Peatfield said "I think people in Derby are going to be really impressed, and the wider region are going to visit"

She said: "My first job when I came into administration in June 2023 was to put the spade in the ground for this building, so it is amazing to see the fixtures and fittings in, and the signage.

"It is really properly starting to feel like this is going to open soon."

She added ASM will be doing training and finishing touches to the building for the "next couple of months" before holding some test events.

A free family welcome day is booked at the venue for 5 April.

Acts, including John Bishop and Wet Wet Wet, have been booked to perform at the venue later this year.

A concourse inside of the arena, with glass windows on the left and doors into the arena on the right. The walls and doors are grey or yellow
The developers said it was a multifunctional venue, so comedy shows, exhibitions and private functions can all be hosted

Paul Morris, development director at St James Securities, said "practical completion" has now taken place, meaning they have delivered the building to the council in accordance with the legal agreement.

He said he was "absolutely delighted" with the result.

"I think the people of Derby absolutely deserve a venue of this quality.

"I would love to see lots of people who live in this city, and out - who currently probably travel to Nottingham - come into their home city, go for dinner beforehand or for drinks and start to enjoy their city centre again."

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