Public garden plans expansion with Eden Project help

A community garden and events space in Derby is planning an expansion with help from the Cornish visitor attraction The Eden Project.

Electric Daisy, in Bold Lane, opened on 20 June 2023.

Jamie Quince-Starkey, founder of Down To Earth Derby, which set up the venue, said he hoped the next stage will be completed in a few years' time.

The Eden Project has been involved from the start, and is also collaborating on plans for "phase two", which include an extension of the site.

Mr Quince-Starkey said: “Eden don’t do things that are rubbish, they don’t do things that are nice and make you feel fuzzy.

"They do things that are remarkable. The fact that they see the opportunity in Derby and the potential... we have to grasp that and make it happen as quick as possible."

Mr Quince-Starkey said they first needed to secure funding for the extension.

Electric Daisy has hosted music gigs, stay and play events for children, as well as being hired by businesses.

Talking about the work they had already done, he added: “We can see a real change to the city centre in a very short space of time.”

He said the garden would be "extended so we have got an indoor and outdoor venue".

The steel structure frame currently used will be glazed, to create a greenhouse for use as an office space.

Mr Quince-Starkey said: “We want a cafe, we want to grow stuff we cannot only sell, but cook with, and scale up our food and drink offering."

He added: “If you imagine what we have delivered with Electric Daisy is phase one, phase two is about scaling what we have already done but creating something… on that site that is going to blow people away."

Eden Project co-founder Sir Tim Smit said: “I love Derby and Down to Earth.

“I think the opportunity to make Derby the centre of a new green enlightenment is outstanding.”

Follow BBC Derby on Facebook, on X, or on Instagram. Send your story ideas to eastmidsnews@bbc.co.uk or via WhatsApp on 0808 100 2210.