Key Derby building could remain as 'vibrant cultural and community space'

Déda has gone into voluntary liquidation

The city council says it is working to keep the former home of Derby dance centre Déda as a community and cultural centre. There had been fears that the building, which is owned by the council, would be used for other purposes after Deda went into voluntary liquidation in August.

Announcing the centre's closure, the Deda trustees said they "hoped a solution will be found to save what the organisation does and avoid closure of the building by working with stakeholders and partners". Déda’s chair Corey Mwamba added: "As with many other arts organisations, Déda is facing considerable financial challenges, and as such the trustees have taken professional insolvency advice. During the insolvency process, we will continue to work with our colleagues across the city, to hopefully find ways that the arts community can move forward together."

Two months after going into voluntary liquidation, Derbyshire Live approached the city council about the situation and council leader Councillor Nadine Peatfield said: "We recognise the huge value of cultural institutions to the vibrancy and wellbeing of our city and are doing all we can to support them at this challenging time. As the owners of 19 Chapel Street, the council has been working with other organisations based in the building to ensure their access is maintained during Déda’s insolvency process.

“We know Déda's closure will have had an impact on many people in Derby and want to reassure them that we are working with partners and stakeholders with a view to preserving 19 Chapel Street as a vibrant cultural and community space for the future."

Chapel Street is part of the city's Northern Quarter and plans are in hand to redevelop the area, including the former Queen's Leisure Centre, which closed more than two years ago and is due to be demolished, together with the Chapel Street car park. Firm plans for the area have still to be drawn up and it remains unclear what will happen to the now-former Deda building.

But judging by Mrs Peatfield's remarks, it seems that culture will still feature in the council's future plans for the area. In the meantime., supporters of Déda, who may be heartened by Mrs Peatfield's comments, drew up a petition which was signed by 4,260 people and has been presented to both Derby City Council and the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport.

It was started by Camille Mauduit, who said: "Déda has been key in enhancing Derby's culture, touching countless lives along its journey and boosting the overall wellbeing of people in our community. Its loss would mean a severe blow to our town's cultural landscape.

"I implore all Derby residents, and everyone who understands the importance of arts and culture in our lives, to support this petition. Together, let us appeal for a solution that would ensure the continuity of Déda, the heart of Derby's artistic scene."

No statements have been issued by the insolvency practitioners acting on behalf of Déda so far. Culture and the arts in the city are undergoing a tough time at the moment after the QUAD arts centre in the Market Place, which has been in financial difficulties for more than 12 months, announced it was reducing its opening hours and ending its meals and cafe service from October 17.