University lease Friar Gate Square

The University of Derby has recently signed a lease for one Friar Gate Square which will house Derby Law School.

The £20 million striking, copper building in the city has been vacant since 2013 when they were first built. 

The lease contract was signed this week by Hari Punchihewa, Deputy Chief Executive and Finance Director at the University of Derby.

He said: “We are pleased to announce that we will be leasing Friar Gate Square. This strategic move will enable us to embed ourselves even more firmly in the city and the University quarter. This lease is not only fantastic news for our students, staff and academics but also for the city.”

The whole building offers 32,000 sq ft spread over six storeys, which will be leased to the University and the space will include: additional modern and well equipped teaching and lecture rooms as well as a fully compliant court room.

This year marks the 20^th anniversary since the first cohort of law students graduated from the University of Derby, which has recently been re-launched as ‘Derby Law School’.

Malcolm Todd, Dean of College of Law, Humanities and Social Sciences, added:

“This investment will enable us to develop Derby Law School even further and ensure that our students get the best learning facilities.

“Derby Law School has developed enormously in the past few years. Having invested £1.5 million in our law offer we now house some of the country’s most advanced facilities, including courtrooms, crime labs, interviewing suites and a crime house.

“We are ambitious about Derby Law School and we hope this lease will enable us to continue to develop our Law offering. This exciting lease will ensure that the University continues to provide first class education in the heart of the city.” 

The University is due to move into the new building towards the end of this year.