Plans to bring back to life a long-time redundant factory on the edge of Derby city centre have taken a massive step forward. 

Damien Walters Limited, working in conjunction with MARV, has completed the purchase of the 80,000 sq. ft. former Aida factory on City Road at Chester Green from Derby City Council. 

The process follows 12 months of detailed work between Derby City Council and a team of locally-based consultants working with Damien Walters. 

With temporary planning permission already in place for part of the building, a detailed planning application will be submitted shortly to fully repurpose the site. Construction work is expected to begin at the end of Q4, 2023.

The proposal puts forward that Derby City Gymnastics Club and Gym will relocate from Chapel Street with a new stunt training academy to be incorporated into the new gym. 

Three film studios are to be created within the older part of the building, which runs down the full length of City Road. The final phase involves the delivery of a new world class rehabilitation centre for elite sports participants and the wider stunt industry.