A major new indoor not-for-profit skatepark has transformed a vacant city centre space into a vibrant hub for Derby’s growing skateboarding community.

Flo Skatepark secured funding to establish a new state-of-the-art facility at the Derbion, transforming the former Eagle Market into a dynamic destination for small wheels sport. 

The project was powered with a £37,000 grant from the Council’s Ascend Vacant to Vibrant grant scheme, alongside a grant of £13,0000 from the Make and Trade programme, helping to bring a unique offer into the heart of the city. 

Ascend Vacant to Vibrant funding supports the reactivation of empty units across the city centre and Derby, boosting footfall for the businesses and the area. The programme offers grants and loans to eligible small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs). This is funded by a pot of £500,000 from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, via the East Midlands Combined Council Authority (EMCCA).  

Alongside Flo Skatepark, so far, the funding has also supported Craftcore, the city’s first public ceramics studio, with more premises preparing to open over the summer. Flo Skatepark, which was previously based in Nottingham, has attracted visitors from across the UK and Europe before closing in 2025. 

The Derby facility features a range of areas designed for all abilities, including a larger beginners’ zone, enhanced street section, competition bowl and a world-class vert ramp. Additional spaces to be added will include a warm-up and rehabilitation area, workshop, and multi-use media and event space. The 20,828 sq ft hub also broadens its offer beyond skateboarding to include scooters, inline and quad skating, alongside exhibitions, events and brand collaborations.

A standout feature of the new site is a professional-standard vert ramp originally built by 414 Skateparks for a TAG Heuer advertising campaign featuring Olympic medallist Sky Brown. The ramp was funded by Skateboard GB and Subway who pledged a grant to move the Vert to Derby, providing a rare opportunity for local skaters to train on world-class equipment.

The skatepark also plays a key role in developing future talent through its involvement in the Skateboard GB Pipeline Project – a national programme supported by UK Sport and Sport England.

As well as supporting high-performance pathways, Flo delivers an extensive community programme, including beginner and intermediate coaching, women and girls’ sessions, inclusive sessions for marginalised groups, and dedicated provision for older skaters and young people with special educational needs.

The project has also delivered significant social value through a partnership with Volunteer It Yourself (VIY) where 43 local young people helped to support the construction and fit-out of the skatepark. Referred through organisations including Derby College and youth services, the skatepark allowed the young volunteers to work alongside industry mentors and to gain skills.

Councillor Nadine Peatfield, Cabinet Member for City Centre, Regeneration, Strategy and Policy said: 

Projects like this is exactly what our Vacant to Vibrant programme is designed to support. Flo Skatepark has brought new life into a previously empty unit, attracting visitors into the city centre and allowing talent to flourish. 

It’s particularly exciting to see a space that supports both grassroots participation and elite talent development, while also creating real opportunities for young people to gain skills and confidence.

Mark Deans, Chair of the Flo Charitable Trust, said: 

As I worked alongside dozens of volunteers taking the old Nottingham Flo apart for storage, I would never have dreamt that 16 months later we would be open and providing an amazing 'providing an amazing world class facility for skateboarding and a programme to attract new comers to the sport, we will also have sessions for other users such as scooters, quads and inlines.

I hope it provides excitement and community for thousands of visitors for years to come. None of it would have happened without the spirit and generosity of Derby City Council, the amazing work of VIY, its volunteers and trade partners, and the hundreds of people who gave generously to the Crowdfunder. Thank you so much.

Beth McDonald, Managing Director of Derbion, said: 

We’re incredibly proud to be home to Flo Skatepark, a world-class indoor hub that brings together sport, culture, and community, and to have supported its journey with significant investment both financially and as a landlord.

Alongside Social Sports Society, it has expanded our leisure offer and given people even more reasons to visit Derbion and Derby city centre.