Derby architect announces glass atrium plan to revitalise Cathedral Quarter
A DERBY architect wants to cover a city centre street with a
huge glass atrium to encourage shoppers back to Derby's
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"I think it's a great idea. The Cathedral Quarter needs a cash injection to boost trade."
Nick Parker, bar owner, Newland Street, Derby.
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"I think that it's a waste of tax-payers' money. The Cathedral Quarter does not need the walkway."
Marvin Ferguson, 26, security worker, Derby.
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BRIGHT FUTURE? Derek Latham, below, wants to build a glass atrium over The Strand in Derby (above); top, a similar scheme in Leeds.
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"It sounds like a waste of money when there are better causes that could use it. I think Derby looks OK as it is."
Eloise Asumang, 25, student, Moore Street, Normanton.
Cathedral Quarter.
Derek Latham has unveiled designs for a 95-metre glass
structure which he hopes could one day be built over The
Strand.
The architect says the green-house-style atrium would create
a bustling cafe culture and shelter from the weather on the
street, which would be pedestrianised if the plans went
ahead.
Businesses owners along The Strand, who say they have seen a
fall in trade since the opening of the Westfield shopping
centre, are excited by Mr Latham's plans.
Martin Roper, who owns the Scenario men and women's clothing
stores, said the glass atrium could boost business.
The 47-year-old said: "For me, it is probably the best news
I have had for a while.
"I used to own three shops in The Strand but I had to close
one because of a drop in footfall.
"The Strand and Cathedral Quarter needs this kind of
development and I think it is an absolutely phenomenal
idea."
Designs for the atrium are only in the initial stages of
being drawn up and have not yet been put before the city's
planners.
But Mr Latham's Queen Street firm, Lathams Architecture, has
already been involved in a similar development in Leeds. The
construction of a large atrium in the city's Victoria Quarter,
which features one of the biggest stained-glass windows in the
world, helped to turn a rundown area into one of Leeds' most
visited shopping destinations.
Mr Latham, who is married to former Mayor of Derby Pauline,
said his ambition was to see his plans for Derby become a
reality within the next four years.
He said: "This is only an idea at present but I think it
would be fantastic to have this design in place. It would
provide an alternative to the controlled mall environment of
the Westfield centre and bring a really strong core back to the
Cathedral Quarter.
"We want to make it a place that people really want to go to
and visitors would be able to enjoy it whatever the
weather."
The Leeds atrium features plants and a fountain, seating
areas, artwork and sculptures. The Derby structure could be
similar.
Angie Lings, owner of the Optimum accessory store in The
Strand, said the scheme would give people a shopping experience
they might not find elsewhere.
She said: "This idea could work extremely well. It would not
only be very good for businesses in The Strand but would also
be good for the Cathedral Quarter as a whole."
Simon Tustin, manager of Haze clothing store, on the corner
of The Strand and St James' Street, said cafes with tables
outside, under the protect of the glass atrium, would encourage
visitors.
He said: "The glass cover could attract people back to the
area and with more cafes it could really boost footfall."
The next step in Mr Latham's proposal for The Strand would
be to carry out a feasibility study on the site.
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