Derby Hall

Derby Hall is a Grade II listed Victorian building on Market Street featuring a central Venetian window, pedimented portico, and four attached columns in ashlar stone. The ground floor contains three arched doorways, with the right section housing the main performance spaces.

The building was designed by architect Sydney Smirke and opened in 1850 with a concert attended by 600 people in the central assembly room. It evolved into a significant venue for public gatherings and performances over the following decades.

The building has served as a cultural venue since 1979, hosting theater productions and musical performances that shape the city's arts scene. Visitors can experience live performances throughout the year in its restored historic spaces.

The building is best visited before or after events to fully appreciate its architecture from both exterior and interior perspectives. The multiple ground floor entrances provide different ways to explore the various sections of the interior.

A notable music performance in 1980 ended in disorder when the lead singer failed to appear, creating an unexpected moment in the venue's history. This incident remains a significant memory associated with the building's role in the local music scene.

Location: Bury

Inception: 1850

Architects: Sydney Smirke

GPS coordinates: 53.59290,-2.29700

Latest update: December 14, 2025 15:00