Derby is lucky to have a new Westfield Shopping Centre:
http://www.westfieldderby.co.uk/

A fantastic Church to Shopping. Westfield are I believe an Australian company, and I have seen their work in America too.
I do not want to down play the impact this has on Derby, but as ever there is a downside.

I understand that 22 retailers have closed in the "Cathedral Quarter" of Derby since Nov 2007.
Yes, 22 since Nov. Whats that 4 months? how many retailers can there be?

That includes Irongate and Sadler Gate, and I have to admit, that when I last walked through there, it was remarkably quiet. Alot of work has gone into making it smarter, but has it been money well spent?

Perhaps that is because it is now alive only at night, that I cannot say, anyone a point of view?

Our own Derby Paper has highlighted their plight, and the council has offered to reduce the rates. It was a surprise therefore to hear that the council are also offering to reduce the rates in the New Westfield Centre too.
Can I have my rates reduced too please?

I would be interested to know the plans for the shops when they are empty. Housing perhaps? Is that to be the fate of the old Debenhams? There are apparently a number of scenarios for that building, but at the present, I cannot guess what they are.