New skateboarding facility and padel centre set to open at Derbion

Derbion has announced a major expansion to its leisure offering after striking deals for a new indoor padel centre and a skateboarding facility.

Community sports operators Social Sports Society and Flo Skatepark are set to arrive at the shopping centre this autumn.

Social Sports Society will open one of the UK’s largest indoor padel centres at Derbion, marking its third location outside London following successful venues in Birmingham and Manchester.

Meanwhile, Flo Skatepark will open a world-class skateboarding hub, which will offer lessons for all ages and abilities, host regular events and lead creative programmes designed to get people active and involved.

Both openings, which will be created on the site of the former Eagle Market will coincide with the completion of Derbion’s Eastern Gateway development, which will transform this area of the city, as well as create a new feature façade and urban garden for the shopping centre.

Beth McDonald, managing director at Derbion, said: “The arrival of Social Sports Society and Flo Skatepark will perfectly align with the completion of our new Eastern Gateway, as we create a destination where more people want to spend their free time.

“The amazing new padel courts and skatepark, together with the upcoming new urban garden and the nearby Derby Theatre, will further boost footfall and dwell time as we continue transforming this area of Derbion.”

Padel is now one of the UK’s most rapidly expanding sports.

At Derbion, the new 54,773 sq ft venue will bring padel right into the city centre, with Sports Social Society committed to offering free or low-cost sessions for schools and local groups to help grow the game at a grassroots level.

Flo Skatepark will join Social Sports Society, taking on a 20,828 sq ft space.

Supported by Sport England and accredited by Skateboard GB, Flo Skatepark will also serve as a venue for exhibitions, community gatherings and collaborations with brands such as Vans.

Beth said: “Social Sports Society and Flo Skatepark will allow locals of all ages and abilities to enjoy these fantastic sports and try something new.

“The arrivals will also significantly expand our leisure offering, ensuring Derbion remains the go-to day out destination for people across the region.”

Tom Rooney, chief executive of Social Sports Society, said: “This new venue at Derbion will allow us to continue our efforts to help unlock new community spaces across UK urban areas.

“We are proud of our reputation as ‘the good padel people’, so to ensure we live up to this, we will be giving away over 250,000 free or discounted hours to schools and community groups over the next five years.

“Through this, we can bring padel to a new audience and help to grow the game across the East Midlands.”

Mark Deans, chair of Flo Skatepark, said: “We can’t wait to open this fantastic new skateboarding hub for the East Midlands at Derbion.

“This new space will allow us to bring a high-quality skateboarding experience to both new and established skaters across the East Midlands.

“Skateboarding is synonymous with urban environments, and we look forward to using this space to unite sport, culture and retail as we bring the community closer together.”