Discussions around the lack of footfall in the Market Hall have been ongoing since its reopening in May
Sophie Fagone Buscimese Trainee Reporter
04:00, 03 Jan 2026Updated 13:02, 03 Jan 2026
The Market Hall reopened back in May(Image: Derby Telegraph)
A project seven years in the making was unveiled in 2025, and with it came a lot of mixed opinions.
The opening of Derby’s Market Hall was a highly anticipated event, and after over £35million was invested into its revamp, thousands of Derby’s residents and visitors queued to be among the first to step foot into the historic venue.
After a glorious opening weekend, fewer and fewer visitors could be seen trickling into the Market Hall, which then saw its opening hours reduced and a day of closure was introduced only a few months in.
Despite the city council firmly defending the initiative and praising high footfall, it’s no secret that the venue isn’t busy most of the time.
I personally believe Derby’s Market Hall has a lot of potential which it has not yet tapped into.
The venue has historic significance, offering a relaxed experience for shoppers and sitting in a prime location in the city. Additionally, its traders are passionate about what they do.
What I’ve found when stepping into the Market Hall, however, is that no one really knows under which umbrella term it stands – is it a true market hall with fresh food stalls from local farmers, is it a shopping centre, is it a street food hall?
Somehow it’s all of the above, and I believe that is what deters visitors from coming.
That’s not to say the vendors there aren’t all amazing – but I think the Market Hall’s ‘theme’ should have been decided more firmly, with efforts focused on making it stand out for one or two things in particular rather than a seemingly random mixture of offerings.
Voices in the community have been calling for the venue to become a true market hall, with a butcher, bakers and fresh produce.
It surely wouldn’t be easy for a city centre venue to compete with the pricing of supermarkets, but making it a one-stop shop for high-quality groceries may boost the numbers and answer the question of why people should come to the Market Hall.
I think the Market Hall needs to find its “why” to draw Derby’s shoppers in.
Of course, Derbion and the city’s various shopping streets are strong competition, but the venue offers something truly special, and it definitely has the potential to become one of the city’s top attractions – it just needs to be used to its full extent.