The postal service has a long history in Derby, having had a presence in the city since 1635. The three-storey Renaissance style Old Post Office, located on Victoria Street, has stood as a city centre landmark since it was originally built in 1869.

The iconic Grade II listed building had been empty since 2018, and prior to that had been used as a nightclub, with many associated unsympathetic internal alterations. Planning & Design Practice Ltd worked to secure Planning and Listed Building Consent for the restoration and re-use of the building into a commercial office complex and café, on behalf of Staton Young Group. The result of this is that work on a sympathetic restoration has been undertaken, allowing one of Derby’s most important listed buildings to return to its former glory with a new lease of life.

The redevelopment of the Old Post Office has allowed the refurbishment of the upper floors, facilitating the restoration of historical features that had been allowed to become dilapidated during the building’s most recent use a nightclub.

A new life for the Old Post Office

Staton Young Group have subsequently transformed the Grade-II listed Old Post Office on Victoria Street into CUBO – 20,000 sq. ft of luxury, modern office space, with vast amounts of co-working space, hot desking, designated desks, private offices and a cafe.

The CUBO theory is to ‘LIVE CUBO, WORK CUBO’. Staton Young wants to create a working environment that makes people not only just want to come to work but to also work to their best ability. The tenants will be able to access all of the facilities 24 hours a day.

Planning & Design Practice Ltd have worked on a number of commercial projects which have involved changing the existing use of buildings located within the city centre. The long-term vitality of town centres is an important planning concern and diversifying the uses of retail and leisure units can provide positive additions to the street scene and the local economy.