Derby’s first public-access ceramics studio has opened on Osnabruck Square, following a refurbishment of an empty shop unit assisted by funding from Derby City Council.

Craftcore is part of the Derby arts and culture charity Artcore, which has its community hub next door to the new unit. The workshop and studio space will be open to all, from local community members and emerging artists to creative professionals.

To create the studio, the unit has undergone extensive work including the installation of pottery equipment such as ceramic kilns, pottery wheels and specialist workshop tools. The electrics, lighting and heating have been upgraded, along with improvements to the flooring and waste disposal facilities. The studio has also been refurbished and decorated internally and externally to support its use as a functional ceramics workspace.

The business is one of ten so far to be awarded a grant from Derby City Council through the Vacant to Vibrant scheme, which is focused on bringing empty shop units in the Cathedral Quarter area back into use. This is funded by a pot of £500,000 from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, via the East Midlands Combined Council Authority (EMCCA).  Craftcore received £56,000 towards its refurbishment costs through the scheme, and is the first to open.

Ruchita Shaikh, CEO of Artcore, said:

With the support of Derby City Council’s capital funding, Artcore has been able to establish Craftcore – Derby’s first fully equipped ceramic studio open to the public. The studio provides new opportunities for artists, learners, and local communities to develop skills, explore creativity, and experience the therapeutic benefits of working with clay. Craftcore will become an important hub for making, learning and community engagement in the city.

Councillor Nadine Peatfield, Cabinet Member for City Centre, Regeneration, Strategy and Policy, said:

We are working closely with EMCCA to utilise future regional funding to support our businesses and regeneration of the city, and Craftcore is exactly what the Vacant to Vibrant funding is designed to support.

It’s fantastic to see an empty and run-down shop unit transformed into creative space which offers something new and different for the city.  We look forward to seeing more empty units open up in the coming months, bringing new interest to the city centre and helping us create a Derby to be proud of.

Vacant to Vibrant is one of several ways in which the UKSPF supports Derby business initiatives. The East Midlands Chamber Accelerator Fund offers business advice from marketing to tailored support in running a business, for owners and employees. Innovation Accelerator, delivered through the University of Derby, supports innovation in businesses, which may include academia time to develop a concept. Social enterprises in Derby can receive specific business support through the Locality programme.

More information about the support offered to local businesses by the Council and the UKSPF can be found on the Council’s website.