£7M REGENERATION PLAN

The regeneration of the Becket Well area of Derby city centre is edging ever closer as a £7m plan to replace Duckworth Square with a leisure complex is set for approval. After years of decay, the derelict shopping precinct could soon be redeveloped as a European-style piazza surrounded by bars, restaurants and a nightclub. The plans, which have been submitted by London-based developer Mixend, are expected to be approved by Derby City Council's planning control committee.

Mixend wants to demolish Duckworth Square - currently boarded up to keep out rough-sleepers and drug-users - and use the one-acre site for an "urban entertainment centre" called Exchange Square. Exchange Square would be an L-shaped complex covering 45,000 sq ft, with a mixture of one and two storeys and a landscaped piazza. It would have space for bars, restaurants and a nightclub.

Mixend believes that the development would help to regenerate the run-down Becket Well area. Jonathan Gold, director of Mixend, said, "Exchange Square is an exciting development that is set to become a vibrant leisure experience which will complement the rest of the city's busy night-time circuit." He said that, subject to planning permission being granted, demolition would be under way shortly, with construction work starting in September. The official opening of Exchange Square is planned for autumn, 2004.

Russell Rigby, director of Innes England, joint agents for the scheme, said, "Strong interest has already been shown from both national bar and leisure operators and a number of independents." The precinct, which was developed in the late 1960s, has been in a state of disrepair for several years. The future of the site has been in limbo for more than five years, since Mixend purchased it in 1997 with ideas for a £100m leisure and shopping centre.

But the plans came to nothing and, last year, Mixend put the site up for sale at £1.5m, before having a change of heart and deciding to develop the site as part of Derby Cityscape. Cityscape, a £225m blueprint for regeneration in the city centre, identifies Becket Well as one of five key areas for regeneration. The plans have been recommended for approval by Mike Kaye, the council's assistant director of development and cultural services, in a report to the planning control committee.

It states: "There is no doubt that the removal of the existing premises is a considerable benefit for the area. It will lead to a considerable improvement in the locality and, hopefully, a significant boost to this area."