“@onnhoj2010 "but that report just reinforces how little the council knows about live music." Actually this report draws its information from an earlier independent report by Locum Consulting and has nothing whatsoever to do with what the council understands about live music (theatre and other cultural issues) http://tinyurl.com/82j7422

Locum Derby Performing Space Study 2006.

This is a result of a full options appraisal (commissioned by Derby City Council) of what Derby needs and identifies problems such as the fact the Assembly Rooms were built as a "multi purpose" venue in the early 1970s and are no longer fit for purpose. Derby New Theatre Association says in the report, that the £19,000 weekly rent for putting on various shows at the venue was too expensive. The International Gilbert & Sullivan Society say the building is unsuitable, and in 2006 it was agreed that a major overhaul is required for the building.

This from the DT July 11th 2008:
"It would mean installing a fly tower to move scenery on and off stage quickly, extending the stage, improving the entrance, completely redesigning the layout of seating in the main hall, adding an orchestra pit, refurbishing the Darwin Suite and repositioning the stage".
The cost at the time was estimated at £20million: (http://tinyurl.com/88j9y3s)


However things have changed since this report and The current situation is that Derby Theatre is now owned and managed by Derby University and has failed to win Arts Council funding, the Assembly Rooms are unfit for purpose, the acoustics are no good for many of the current uses and there is no potential funding available to bring the building up to standard.

The 2006 Locum Report offers the following options:
Option 1 - Do nothing, this should be used as a base line for other options.
(Preferred options)
Option 5A a new build arts venue on the north side of the river. however this was later rejected as the cost was estimated at over £100 million.

Option 5B the complete refurbishment of the Assembly Rooms as previously mentioned (fly tower, stage, auditorium etc.).

Options 5C and 5D are interesting options that were under consideration at the time as one involves demolition and re-building the Assembly Rooms and another involves a complete redevelopment of the Hippodrome into a modern theatre, (as we now know, this could be achieved by applying for Historic Building and Heritage Lottery grants.”

“@Derby_born - a little off the car parking topic, but that report just reinforces how little the council knows about live music.

The Assembly Rooms' great hall capacity for a standing gig is 2000 - roughly similar to the de Montfort Hall at Leicester and Rock City in Nottingham, both of which seem to have no problem snapping up major artists. While around 20 per cent smaller than the Royal Concert Hall at Nottingham, it is more flexible in that the seats can be removed. Even all seated, the great hall is bigger than Buxton Opera House, which also seems to have no problem attracting top level live music. The Darwin Suite is on a par size-wise with the Rescue Rooms in Nottingham - again, somewhere which puts on a far better line-up.

What really puts promoters off the Assembly Rooms is the ridiculously high costs of hiring it, (set by the council), restrictions on things like serving alcohol during performances (imposed by the council) and an all-round perceived lack of support for and understanding of live music (by the council). The last Assembly Rooms manager with any vision was forced out (by the council).

OK, the acoustics aren't great at the Assembly Rooms, but it wouldn't take a massive investment to improve things. What the council should do is put it in the hands of an independent promoter who has a financial stake in its success, not a selection of salaried council staff who are afraid to take risks.

In addition, Derby has successful live music venues including the Flowerpot, the Venue, the Bell, the Vic and the Spot - an offer eaily comparable to Nottingham or Leicester and far from being on its uppers as that report suggests.”

“That makes perfect sense Derby_born.
Old ship timbers were often used for roofing and support,coastal areas especially.

There may be a reason why the story is still going around,perhaps to bring about a reason not to pull another of Derby`s landmarks down.
But if its not built for purpose,then a new build or extention would be the only way forward.It wouldnt prosper otherwise.
Most people would disagree though,looking around the city at all the things that are lain to waste currently :(”

“@superacetrace, this mythical Viking Ship story is still doing the rounds? Derek Palmer, local historian and the man who was in charge of the site when it was being cleared for the Assembly Rooms, (http://tinyurl.com/7ayfav2) tells people of this when he gives a public talk on the subject.

It seems, according to Derek, that the story got twisted out of proportion when it was brought up as part of the Ghost Walks story telling; this came from a comment by a workman who remarked that a roof timber looked "a bit like part of an old boat", and the myth has evolved from that day.

The car park is the least of the problems facing the Assembly Rooms as the Council's "Destination Derby" 2011-2016 report concludes "The limited capacity of the Assembly Rooms means that Derby is unable to attract and host performances by many major popular artists. Elsewhere in the city the live music scene has been challenging recently with a number of venues closing".

"The cultural offer in the city is restricted by the quality of the existing venue infrastructure which frustrates the programming ambitions of the organisation which run them and also means that proven market demand is left unsatisfied. Many of the existing venues are dated and require either replacement or significant investment to make them fit for purpose"
http://tinyurl.com/7wb3zs9”

“Are they going to dig up the viking ship thats supposedly under there??Or at least take a peek??

I would LOVE to find out if it was true.

For those that dont know the story,when the assembly rooms were being built,about 30 years ago,workmen noticed the remains of a viking ship and due to there being a completion date and bosses who just wanted the job done,nothing more came of it and the place was filled in with concrete.”

“Oh for pitys sake they are doing maintenance. Its for a short period and hopfully it will improve the car park! If it car park wasn't looked after you'd only moan!”

“That is OK if you already know that, but hope there will be sufficient information around for others who don't!”

“Can't see a problem with the parking. There's the multi storey car park right alongside the ring road at Radio Derby. It's never full and only a short walk to the Cathedral Quarter.”

“Hope alternative directions for parking will be given to potential visitors to the Cathedral Quarter or maybe some on street parking made available for short periods.”

“A partial nail in the coffin of the Cathedral Quarter which when lifted may have done more damage.”