Becketwell Arena Marks Milestone with Final Seat Installation

A new entertainment venue in Derby has moved closer to completion following the installation of its final seat. The distinctive “golden seat” was the last to be placed inside the city’s 3,500-capacity Becketwell Arena on Friday. All construction work for the £46m project has now concluded, and interior preparations, including acoustic testing, are currently under way ahead of its scheduled opening in spring 2025. Derby City Council leader Nadine Peatfield described the addition of the final seat as “another milestone”. She told the BBC, “I’m really looking forward to opening night, it’s a game changer for Derby”. The venue will be owned by Derby City Council and operated by ASM Global, a venue management and events producer. The council stated its plan to hand over the venue to ASM Global in seven weeks. ASM Global announced in October its aim to recruit 130 people for a mix of full-time and part-time roles, as well as permanent and temporary positions. The venue’s main auditorium is equipped with flat floor seating, a lower tier of retractable bleacher seating, and an upper tier of fixed seating, along with a ring of VIP seating on the central and side balconies. Ms Peatfield indicated that the venue is anticipated to host over 200 cultural and commercial events and attract an additional 250,000 visitors to the city annually.