Plans announced for new theatre in Derby

Derby City Council has announced plans to build a new theatre on a city centre site.

The proposed theatre, known as Assemble, would be constructed in partnership with the University of Derby on the site of the Assembly Rooms, which was closed following a fire in 2014.

The council said it was proposing a £20m bid to the Levelling Up Fund to support the project, which would also require council borrowing.

The new theatre will form part of Derby's City of Culture 2029 bid. Council Leader Chris Poulter said: "We need to deliver a step change to create a successful and dynamic city centre."

The plans are subject to sign-off by the council's cabinet on 5 July.