Weekly Derby Market Hall footfall figures revealed

Almost 16,000 people are visiting Derby's revamped Market Hall each week on average, according to figures provided to the BBC.

A Freedom of Information request by the BBC found the venue, which has received criticism for having empty stalls and low footfall, has averaged about 15,785 visitors a week between 21 July and 16 November.

Derby City Council said weekly footfall figures were "not held" between its reopening date of 24 May and 20 July but said it now had "more accurate data collected by footfall cameras".

A city council spokesperson said visitor numbers will "naturally ebb and flow throughout the week" but said the released figures "demonstrate the success" of Derby Market Hall.

The FOI data showed the building's highest weekly footfall was 18,519 visitors during the week commencing 1 September, while the lowest was 10,054 in the week beginning 10 November.

In the original FOI response sent to the BBC on 11 September, the council said it only held figures for the building's first nine days of opening in May and June, when it attracted a total of 85,000 people.

The council said: "At the time of the initial FOI request we provided the information we had available."

Derby Market Hall has been criticised for lacking a traditional market feel and having several unoccupied units following its £35m refurbishment.

It also emerged almost 800 traders who had applied for a spot in the hall had been turned away by the council.

The Market Hall features 43 units with extra space for pop-up stalls but a previous Freedom of Information request by the BBC found only 29 out of 818 applications for units were accepted by the council.

Derby City Council refused to comment on individual applications, but said it wanted to "carefully curate" stalls.

Since 22 September, the authority has also closed the Market Hall on Mondays but extended its hours on Sundays, reducing its total operating hours by three.

The council said the changes were "designed to create a more vibrant and sustainable experience for everyone".

The city council spokesperson added it had received "positive feedback" from local businesses and hoteliers about the Market Hall's impact on the local economy.

The council said the Grade II listed building "supported the wider economy in the city, with the venue expected to generate over three and a half million pounds for the local economy every year".

After announcing several new traders a few weeks ago, the authority said it hoped the festive period will boost visitor numbers.

"We've recently welcomed a number of new traders into the space and are expecting even more to open shortly," said the council spokesperson.

"We also have a busy programme of exciting events over the festive period which we expect to significantly boost footfall.

"The reopening of the Market Hall is only the start of the journey for the building, and we will continue to review the offer to keep it fresh and exciting."

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