Derby food people, assemble: Bustler’s new site has revealed its first trader

Bustler has finally dropped the first name heading to its new St James Yard site in Derby, and it’s a big win for local food fans. Pan‑Asian street food brand That Kick is officially joining the line‑up ahead of the site’s late‑spring launch.

The brand started life in Derby back in 2023 as a home kitchen project run by founders Richard Ashleigh Stevenson and Fleuri Paramita Aprianti. Fast‑forward a couple of years and That Kick has already popped up in Birmingham, Sheffield and Coventry — and now it’s coming right back to where it all began.

If you don’t know That Kick, the clue’s in the name. Expect loud flavours and pan‑Asian comfort food pulling inspiration from everywhere — Indonesia, Malaysia, Japan, Vietnam, Thailand, China, Singapore, Korea and the Philippines are all in the mix.

Stevenson, who runs the kitchen, has more than 20 years of experience and is big on wok‑based cooking and proper kitchen training (so yes, it actually runs smoothly). Aprianti, meanwhile, leads menu development and flavour design — alongside doing a PhD at Nottingham Trent University, because apparently running a food brand isn’t enough.

The pair are already familiar faces to Bustler fans, having traded at Bustler Nottingham before, and they’ve quietly built a solid following across the operator’s events and sites.

St James Yard itself is shaping up to be very on‑brand for Bustler: around 20 shipping containers split over two levels, packed with food traders, bars, independent retailers and plenty of places to sit around and pretend you’re “just popping in for one”. There’s also an adjoining building that’ll become a taproom and private hire space, complete with an independent brewery and craft drinks.

The idea is to turn the site into a proper independent hub in Derby city centre — somewhere that actually feels like a destination, rather than just another spot to pass through.

Trader applications have now closed, but Bustler has confirmed more announcements are on the way soon. That Kick being first feels intentional — it’s local, it’s loud, and it sets the tone.

Bustler Derby is due to open later this year. In the meantime, start mentally clearing space for noodles, bao and whatever else That Kick decides to throw your way next.