Big plans for historic former Crown Derby building thousands drive past every day

May 6, 2018 | Derby Street

Forgotten relic of Derby’s porcelain industry could be about to be given a new lease of life

A historic Derby building linked to the city’s porcelain industry may soon get a new lease on life.

The disused property on King Street, near the Seven Stars pub in Five Lamps, has been up for sale for years.

Recently, property firm Gadsby Nichols sold the building, and a planning application has been submitted for its renovation.

The building likely served as the home of Sampson Hancock, a founder of the Old Crown Derby China Works.

At one point, the property also functioned as a factory shop for the porcelain business.

Hancock worked at a Nottingham Road factory, which closed in 1848; he then helped start the new factory in 1849.

The Old China Works sold to Royal Crown Derby in 1935, which later closed that location but continues porcelain production elsewhere.

The King Street building has fallen into disrepair but appears on Derby’s local list for its porcelain heritage.

Faint remnants of the Old Crown Derby China Works signage remain visible on the building’s side today.

The construction of Quaker Way isolated the property, leaving it stranded with roads on both sides.

In 2011, Derby City Council’s Connecting Derby team proposed converting the building into offices with a studio apartment upstairs.

The plan included a curved three-storey extension. Permission was granted but later allowed to lapse.

They renewed permission in 2015, but no work took place since then.

Now, following a change of ownership, the building opposite St Helen’s House could get a new lease on life.

Recently, AK Innovative Design Solutions submitted a planning application to remove some conditions on behalf of the new owner.

In 2015, council officers said the proposal offered a suitable mixed-use development with acceptable design and residential impacts.

They added the scheme would fit well into the townscape and respect nearby listed St Helen’s House.