CULTURE IN THE CITY

Derby residents are being asked what cultural services the city council should provide in order to attract more visitors. It follows a council consultation commissioned in October 2003, in which the council was told its museums did not fulfil their potential. The council's culture and prosperity commission has now produced a tick sheet for people to outline what they feel the authority should be focusing on to raise the city's profile, and improve services. An informal meeting has also been called for people to give their opinions on what the council needs to do to put Derby firmly on the tourist map and offer more attractions for its residents. Around seven million visitors come to the city every year and spend more than £300m, according to Derby's Tourist Information Centre, in the Market Place.

The move has been criticised by a Derby heritage expert, who claims the council is behind the times, and should have acted more than a decade ago. Councillor Paul West, cabinet member for leisure and culture, said, "We want people in the city to visit them as often as possible. To make that happen, we've got to be putting on the right exhibitions and making the most of the facilities we have, and giving the people what they want. We also need to be bringing in more visitors to the city." He said Derby should be shouting about its Joseph Wright painting collection - the world's largest. "There's absolutely no point having such a collection, if we're not maximising the number of people coming in to view it," he added.

In October, the city council hired a market research company to find out how people defined culture, and what they did in their spare time. The new consultation asks residents to prioritise from 50 cultural focuses. Suggested ideas include bigger and better museums, more statues, more themed historical festivals, and specialist markets. The council also wants to focus on Derby's diverse community, by asking people to comment on the possibility of more multicultural events, more ethnic theatre and more ethnic carnivals and festivals. But nothing with a Christian theme. That might be offensive to non-Christians.