Derbion shopping centre in Derby has completed lettings totalling more than 75,000 sq ft to a padel centre and skatepark operator.
Social Sports Society has signed a five-year lease on 54,773 sq ft of space in the former Eagle Market area where it will operate 10 padel courts. The site is Social Sports Society’s third location outside of London with venues already operating in Birmingham and Manchester.
Flo Skatepark will be joining Social Sports Society at Derbion after signing a five-year lease on 20,828 sq ft. The charity which is supported by funding from Sport England, and accredited by Skateboard GB, will use the space to create a world-class hub for skateboarding in the East Midlands.
Beth McDonald, managing director at Derbion, said: “Social Sports Society and Flo Skatepark’s arrivals perfectly align with the completion of our new Eastern Gateway and our partnership with Valliant Live, as we create a destination where more people want to come and spend their free time. These amazing new padel courts and skatepark, alongside the new urban garden, as well as the adjacent Derby Theatre, will further increase footfall and dwell time as we transform this area of the centre.
“As a focal point for the community, we are always looking at new ideas and initiatives to bring people together. Social Sports Society and Flo Skatepark will allow local residents of all ages and abilities to enjoy these fantastic sports and try something new. Their arrival also grows our leisure offering, whilst complementing our extensive range food and beverage providers, helping to ensure Derbion remains the go-to-day out destination for people in the East Midlands.”
Tom Rooney, CEO of Social Sports Society, added: “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.”
