Padel centre and skatepark set for former market

The plans for the former Eagle Market were first unveiled last year

Padel courts and a skatepark are set to transform a former market space in Derby city centre, bosses have said.

The Derbion shopping centre, which owns the former Eagle Market site in the city, said operators Social Sports Society and Flo Skatepark would arrive in the autumn.

The new padel and skate venues form part of the transformation of Derbion's Eastern Gateway development, which is the first phase of the larger Eagle Quarter scheme.

Bosses behind the wider project said the move would "perfectly align with the [phase's] completion".

'Boost footfall'

Derbion said the new 55,000 sq ft padel venue would be one of the largest indoor padel centres of its kind in the UK.

Beth McDonald, managing director at Derbion, added: "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."

The Eagle Market, once one of the largest indoor markets in Europe, closed in July 2023 to make way for the development.

It will include a kinetic LED facade, an urban garden, and a public square connecting the centre to Derby bus station.

Previous proposals for the site included an indoor go-karting track and amusement space, but these plans were later withdrawn.