Inside Derby's new £46m music arena

The arena's auditorium is starting to take shape

A new entertainment venue in Derby is taking shape and is said to be on course to open by spring 2025.

The 3,500-capacity Becketwell Arena in the city centre will be used for music, comedy and conferences, and will be a larger and more adaptable space than the city has had before.

The £46m project has most of its exterior glass wall in place and internal work is well underway on the auditorium.

Derby City Council leader Nadine Peatfield told the BBC on a tour of the facility: "It will be a game changer for the city."

Work is underway on a number of concourse areas

The new arena is expected to be open within a year

The construction work is expected to finish in the first part of 2025 and entertainment operator ASM Global will then take over the venue to fit it out for opening.

Ms Peatfield said: "It's fantastic that we’re now getting a real idea of the impressive scale of the auditorium and a feel of what it will be like when the building opens.

“This venue is a key part in making Derby a lively city centre that puts culture at the forefront."

She added the venue is set to host over 200 cultural and commercial events and attract an additional 250,000 visitors to the city each year.

Ms Peatfield and site manager Josh Bredenkamp of Bowmer + Kirkland took the BBC on a tour of the venue

The arena will also include smaller sections for conferences and other events

The council said more than 200 new jobs are expected to be created once the venue opens, giving the city centre economy a "significant boost".

It estimates the arena will generate more than £10m each year for the area.

The design is said to mirror the Connexin Live arena in Hull.

The venue will be owned by Derby City Council and leased to and run by ASM Global, a venue management and events producer.

It operates the OVO Arena Wembley, AO Arena in Manchester, First Direct Arena in Leeds and the OVO Hydro in Glasgow.

More than 100 workers are working on the site

Becketwell Arena is expected to look similar to the Connexin Live arena in Hull

Site manager Josh Bredenkamp from Bowmer + Kirkland said: "I've worked on a number of projects but this one is definitely one of the best.

"It will be special for me to bring my kids here one day and proudly tell them that I played a part in building this... it's going to be a fantastic venue once it's finished."