TomBustler1884

1 hour ago, Leeds Ram said:

I miss sitting in my office just being able to read my articles and write up my thoughts knowing that the future was at least 3 years off. 

I miss going to the cinema at 10.00pm after staying late at the office and spending a fiver for my entertainment. 

I miss regularly seeing my friends without feeling guilty for not doing something i should have off my list. 

I miss not feeling under immense pressure and strain almost every hour I'm not sleeping. 

Never underestimate the importance of doing things just for you. If seeing your mates every now and again is your happy place, then it's just as important as anything else you have to do.

Hope you are okay, that last sentence made me worry a bit. Don't know you, but if you ever need to talk, I'm a Mental Health First Aider and would be happy to help. Problem shared and all that. 🙂

Back on topic from me, stadium definitely needs a bit of love when the club feels able to do it.

I note the washing and paint its getting outside, hopefully that continues. I would love to see their catering facilities improved, we should be sourcing local and offering better options. That FootyScran account on Twitter puts us to shame. Then look at seating improvements, safe standing, and a vastly improved fan park.

But it sounds like they're on it, so all good for me.

16 hours ago, Rev said:

The decline of Sadlergate is pretty stark too, from what it was. 

When I last lived in Derby, as an 18 year old, it was pretty much the centre of everything, day and  night. 

Now, it's pretty much like any other street in the City Centre.

Sadlergate is cyclical and no doubt, it's struggling at the moment. Needs a new burst of life which Karl Shaw is trying very hard to inject at the moment with his MrShaw and Reminisce bits.

8 hours ago, Tyler Durden said:

If you're having to dredge up a shopping centre to justify your point then think that says it all.

Having lived in both Derby and Nottingham for 10 years plus I like to consider I am able to make an informed decision which one of the two are the bigger dumps, and Derby just about shades it. 

That's not being lazy, that's just fact. 

It's not lazy to say both cities need a lot of improvement. To say there is absolutely nothing going on here is.

You make a good point though. Not long ago, Nottingham was seen as a thriving city, whereas their city leaders have massively taken their eyes off the ball over the last few years, and it now needs a lot of work too.

I am an optimist - I think Derby in the next 5 years will see significant improvements from a building perspective. Whether that's enough to convince people to live, work and spend in the city will remain to be seen. But without people using the city centre, there is no incentive for businesses, shops, restaurants, and activities to open there. Without those things, there is no incentive to live here. It's very much chicken and egg!

On 13/04/2023 at 20:56, Tyler Durden said:

So on that point where is there something of cultural and social value in Derby at all?

This is very lazy. Derby is far from perfect but it has

A UNESCO World Heritage Site in the city centre with an award-winning museum at its heart.

A thriving arts scene at Quad, Deda, Derby Theatre, Babypeople and beyond.

Internationally-recognised festivals in Format, Feste, the Book Festival, and many more.

Derbion? Hideous name but it attracts 20 million visits a year.

I'm not excusing it's faults but let's not pretend its some sort of wasteland. 

I reckon half this England team picks itself under any England manager - 

Pickford

Bellingham

Rice

Rashford

Saka

Kane

Starting to see the next generation of team coming through now imo. No replacement for Kane coming though.

On 24/03/2023 at 18:23, angieram said:

They have built many flats along the riverbank very close to city centre in recent years, I think that's what places like this need - @TomBustler1884 would agree? 

Definitely helps imo - it's customers for shops, bars, restaurants, etc 

On 22/03/2023 at 18:36, Stive Pesley said:

So refreshing to have someone point out the positives and the promise of the changes that are happening (without being a happy clapper about it all)

I don't know how you stop Derby people being so bloody negative about the city all the time. 

To be fair, it was actually my job for a while. 

But I just don't have time for whingeing about Derby. It's not great, but it's not awful. And there is development and change you can point to right now. There have been terrible mistakes in urban planning in the past - (ring road, train station) but they were in the past.

I hope more people will live and work in the city centre, its the only way that people will come back to the older parts of the city again.

A key figure promoted by the city is that the highest average salaries in the UK are in Derby outside of London. People who work here have money, it's just not spent enough here.

On 22/03/2023 at 20:04, PistoldPete said:

What is this "new riverside" you are talking of?  Aren't they worried about floods? 

They are demolishing a couple of the office blocks on Derwent St and opening it all up as gardens and park. Not the most ambitious plans but at least its green space and better than just building a wall.

Third series of Race Across the World starts tonight.

Love these discussions about Derby. Just to answer a few questions about what would entice people to our city, it's definitely a struggle but there is stuff actually happening, not just pretty renders. Tried to answer a few questions in the thread.

Cathedral Rd student accommodation - my understanding is that the problem here is that the insulation between the internal walls and exterior cladding met fire regs at the time of planning consent, but didn't once completed. As a result it is now not compliant so can't be occupied. I'm not sure if the developer is entirely to blame on that one, but yes, a big mess. However, there are currently 4 new student blocks all being built on Agard St.

Derby Theatre - This is being relocated to a new facility on the site of the Assembly Rooms. The govt have allocated £20m to make it happen with the Council putting up some too. The University has signed up as tenant. The final piece of the jigsaw is what to use the rest of the site for - hotel/offices, etc.

University Business School - this is now onsite and will be open I think next year.

GBR - Great news to win this for Derby. The Council now need to make sure that this new HQ is built in the city centre.

The Condor - 265 apartments are opening soon with a gym, business lounge, roof garden and concierge service. A new public park will open at the same time. All operated by Grainger, the biggest provider of private rented accommodation in the country.

Performance Venue - Opening early 2025, it is operated by ASM Global, the biggest venue operator in the world. The programme of events should be top drawer. Will seat 3,500 people.

You then have Castleward, the Nightingale Quarter, the new riverside all happening too. The plans for Derbion on Bradshaw Way and Morledge have to happen.

As for what is there in Derby to attract people, we have a shopping centre that has put a lot of work into improving the range of shops, they attract 20 million people a year. We have Derby Museum, the Museum of Making, QUAD, Deda, Darley Abbey Concert, Format, Feste, Walking with Dinosaurs, lots of running events and lots more I don't have time to think of.

I think we're all guilty of running down where we're from, primarily because we care about it. Derby has major issues with public realm, driving people to historic areas, social mobility and engaging young people in regeneration. But it is heading in the right direction.

1 hour ago, Stive Pesley said:

I think that realistically the only way to have Derby survive as a functioning, vibrant city centre is to increase the city living quota

You visit any Western (and some Eastern) European or Scandinavian city and the difference that makes them feel alive is that they have people living in the city centre and functioning integrated transport systems

The 50s/60s/70s saw a mass exodus of people out of the city centres into the suburbs - mainly because of a) slum clearances b) poor air quality and c) the proliferation of cheap car ownership. Suburbs like Allestree and Mickleover are now starting to see their inhabitants die off at rate of knots but the houses they leave behind are far too expensive for most first time buyers, especially as they need to run cars too

Anyway - I'm rambling but my point is that rather than just treat this as one more thing to have a grumble about - maybe we should hope that it leads to positive change?

I wonder if @TomBustler1884 knows anything about the plans?

A few things.

1. This car park has been useless from the start - the design is dreadful, half of it is left unused most of the time and getting in/out is awful.

2. I was told a few years back that it has some significant structural issues - I don't think it was built very well.

3. Looking at what Cale Street (Derbion owners) have planned for the Eagle Market and Theatre, the designs all have the car park still being there.

4. What that tells me is that it's possible they have had engineers round who have found something that means they have to close it immediately. This would also explain why it seems to be closing so quickly.

5. It would make sense to demolish it and expand their masterplan to include the site. However, with the amount of brick, concrete and steel in it, I do wonder if it's something that could be repurposed?

I really like the look of what they are planning to do around there but their plans will face major criticism from those who want to block it and only ever build up to 4 storeys in Derby. Hopefully it gets through planning and they can secure funding and operators for their plans. There is a lot going on at the moment as plans start to become reality, hopefully this follows suit.

Ultimately, you're right, Derby won't improve without thousands more people living and working in the city centre so those things need to be built as quickly as possible.

21 hours ago, StrawHillRam said:

and a Derek Hales

None of them hold a candle to Mikkel Beck or Stern John. Or Lee Bradbury. Or Danny Graham.

I think the issue is pitch access. The tunnel in the NE corner is too small to get tour trucks in and out of after the height of it was lowered a few years ago

On 21/02/2023 at 18:44, Rev said:

Pancakes, they can get in the bin.

Literally, when I attempt them. 

Even bought a brand new pan, still no effing joy, as I watch the hot oil vacate the middle and gather at the edges. 

I've not had a decent pancake, or indeed any pancake, since I left home in 1996! 

If anyone responds with how delightful their pancakes where, how they melted in the mouth in a sugary lemony explosion of taste, I've one word for you.

t*****.

 

Try not using oil, use Fry Spray or whatever it's called. Get the pan really hot, a few squirts of that and a spatula on hand to start loosening the batter when ready and you're away!

I always had a huge amount of time for Billy Sharp. He has been an incredible goalscorer over the entire course of his career and one of those players you hate to play against but would love to sign.

I had no issue with his comments about Derby following the insults hurled at him by some elements of our crowd. Although it was sad seeing as he singled our fans out for their support following the death of his son all those years ago.

But he just seems like he has a massive chip on his shoulder these days. His moaning about Wrexham was bizarre, not showing SUFC enough respect? 

Just seems a really odd response.

Wrexham NEED to get out of the National League, they are far too good for that league, and I would expect them to quickly go up to League 1 if they manage to go up this year.

My son is 3. Nowhere near any of this yet, but I am already talking to family members about this sort of stuff. As long as he feels supported and loved by those he is closest to I hope he will have the mental freedom to choose the path that suits him best. It might not be one I or others understand, but like you say, times have changed.

I agree, I don't want my son to feel pressured into being someone he isn't. But I do want him to understand the consequences of choices he makes. 11 year old girls identifying as boys is incomprehensible to my generation, let alone those older than me, but as long as there is a level of thought and maturity around why, how, etc, I suppose as a parent the only option is to support your kid?

It sounds insane for OFSTED to be questioning Y6 students on gender identity though. That is intense.

12 hours ago, Ramslad1992 said:

Kids, Derby, Wife in that order ?❤️ 

something special is brewing ?

Yeah, probably a divorce if your missus sees that!

23 hours ago, sage said:

We have a decent small theatre but hardly any decent bands or comedians play in Derby. 

We need a 2-3000 seater venue. You can have offer stuff happening in the same building. Then people come into Derby fir that and spend money at bars and restaurants.

You need an attraction for other things to feed off though.

 

Currently under construction at Becketwell. To be run and booked by ASG, biggest venue operators in the world. If you want an idea on potential performances, check out Hull Bonus Arena.

Mezzo is round the corner. Don't know what times it opens though

19 hours ago, Gee SCREAMER !! said:

Bizarrely, I was under the impression the façade was listed as a perfect example of brutalism architecture not long ago so not sure what bits they can get rid off.  Bet they put up something even worse.  Something made of copper that will be dribbling green rust everywhere in 10 years most likely.

It didn't get Listed. Regardless of the outside, which for me, is a monstrous carbuncle, it's the inside that damns the Assembly Rooms. It wasn't fit for purpose 20 years ago, let alone now. There's no point reopening it if agents won't book it for their clients. In a previous job I once showed a developer and architect round it. Their comment was it's an architect's dream and a developer's nightmare. Everything is reinforced concrete, with all servicing embedded. It makes it almost impossible to repurpose, even aside from the complications from the fire.

All political parties are guilty of dragging out the Assembly Rooms saga for different reasons. There seems to be relative consensus now that it needs to be replaced, and there is a willing tenant in the University to operate it. If it doesn't happen this time then it never will.

The way that we have become a country of hysterics, reacting to anything with fits of rage, panic or over the top melodrama. Everything is an extreme now, nobody will, or is allowed to, change their minds without being criticised. It's making life impossible. It's what has ruined politics - there is no compromise allowed.

1 hour ago, BaaLocks said:

Rosemary's Baby?

No, that's my arm.

Where we live, the 4 or 5 streets around us print off posters that tell people whether we welcome trick or treaters or not so it's obvious where to knock.

Those who join in have a great evening, everyone is polite and friendly. Those who don't aren't bothered by the festivities.

I never used to join in until we had Ziggy, but he really enjoys it. We always carve pumpkins though and use them to make pumpkin pie. Pick them ourselves.

Nowhere near how it was when I lived in America though. Shows like Stranger Things completely nail what halloween and trick or treating is like over there. Before all the monsters/upside down stuff starts anyway.

Edmundson at Ipswich - L1