Derby’s grassroots music scene is gearing up for one of its biggest live showcases of the year as the Battle…
By K Futur LOCALThere are moments in a city’s cultural timeline that feel genuinely important. Not hyped, not manufactured, but real turning points. Heading down to FLO Skatepark in Derby yesterday felt exactly like that.
Ahead of its official opening, TRENDИG was given a glimpse inside what is shaping up to be one of the most exciting additions to Derby city centre in years. And put simply, it is ready. Not just structurally, but culturally. The energy is already there.
From the second we walked in, the sound of wheels hitting fresh wood, the echo of boards snapping up into tricks, and the buzz of skaters reconnecting with a new space made one thing clear: this is going to be huge for the Derby skate scene.
A Fully Loaded Park Ready to Go
FLO Skatepark Derby is not easing its way into the scene. It is arriving fully formed.
The park features a vert ramp, bowl, and street section, giving skaters of all styles and levels something to get stuck into. Whether it is transition skating, technical street lines or just finding your feet, the layout feels intentional, balanced and built for progression.
Watching skaters move between sections, testing lines and pushing the park from every angle, you could already see how sessions here are going to evolve. This is not just somewhere to skate. It is somewhere to develop.
The Session: Local Talent Putting FLO to the Test
The park might not officially be open yet, but yesterday it was alive.
A solid group of local skaters turned up to test everything out, and they did not hold back. Among them were Eric Thomas, Tommy Corbridge, Brandon Morris (Zah Zah Binks), George O’Neil, Alex Decuhna, and even 9-year-old Blye, who held his own and then some.
It was exactly what you want to see in a space like this. No ego, no barriers. Just skaters of different ages and styles feeding off each other, landing tricks, stacking clips and pushing the park in real time.
At the centre of it all was Forde Brookfield, camera in hand, capturing behind-the-scenes footage of the session. If you know Derby skateboarding, you know how important he is to it. Seeing him documenting this moment felt fitting. This is history for the scene.
Alongside him was Toby Batchelor, both representing Rollersnakes, who are not just involved, but instrumental.
Rollersnakes and the Backbone of the Scene
Rollersnakes are the main sponsor of FLO Skatepark Derby, but their involvement goes far beyond a logo on a wall.
They have been a driving force in building awareness around the project, backing it properly and continuing to push the Derby skate scene forward. From grassroots support to helping create opportunities, their presence here makes sense. It feels like a natural extension of everything they have been doing for years.
You could see it in the session. The connections, the support, the sense of community. This is not a brand attaching itself to a project. This is a core part of it.
“It’s More Than Just a Skatepark”
To understand what FLO is bringing to Derby, you have to understand where it has come from.
The Flo Charitable Trust, set up in 2017, originally stepped in to save the Nottingham site from closure. Over nine years, that space became a cornerstone of the UK skate scene, hosting events with major names like Vans and Skateboard GB, as well as grassroots staples like the 42 skate jams.
Run largely by volunteers, with a small dedicated team, FLO has always been about more than ramps and rails. It is about access, community and giving people a place to belong.
When the Nottingham site was forced to close due to a new footbridge development, it could have been the end. Instead, it became a turning point.
The community rallied. Materials were salvaged. The spirit of the park was preserved piece by piece.
Then came a major opportunity. A new home in Derby city centre, thanks to Derbion, and a chance to rebuild something even bigger.
With backing from organisations including Skateboard GB, support from brands like Subway, and key contributions from Rollersnakes, Stance, Derby City Council, VIY and a network of volunteers and local businesses, FLO has been reborn.
Quite literally, parts of the old park live on here. Old wood, new purpose.
Derby’s New Cultural Asset
Speaking with Jol from FLO during the visit, the message was simple. The opening is close. Likely next week.
And when it does open, this is going to change things.
FLO Skatepark is not just another venue. It is a city centre hub. A place where young people, seasoned skaters, newcomers and creatives can come together, hang out and build something.
It adds another layer to Derby’s cultural offering, sitting alongside its live music venues, independent spaces and grassroots communities. But more importantly, it strengthens something that has always existed here: a DIY spirit and a willingness to build from the ground up.
Why FLO Skatepark Matters for Derby
This is bigger than skateboarding.
It creates:
- A safe, welcoming environment for all ages and abilities
- Opportunities for coaching, progression and community building
- A destination that will attract visitors from outside Derby
- A new focal point for youth culture in the city centre
And most importantly, it gives the Derby skate scene something permanent. Something it can grow around.
Final Thoughts
Walking out of FLO yesterday, there was a real sense that something special is about to happen.
The park is ready. The community is ready. The energy is already there.
All that is left now is to open the doors.
TRENDNG will be back for the grand opening, but for now, one thing is certain: FLO Skatepark Derby is about to become one of the most important spaces in the city.
