City garden to take star turn on BBC show shining light on Derby's sustainability
Electric Daisy, Derby's popular garden, will appear on BBC Two's Gardeners' World, highlighting its impact on the community.
A popular garden in Derby dubbed the “hottest spot in town” is to feature on prime-time television.
The Electric Daisy public garden on Bold Lane in the city centre has attracted tens of thousands of visitors since opening for the first time two years ago.
More than 40,000 people visited the garden in 2024 alone.
The unique setting, which is helping the city become greener and more environmentally friendly, was created from the vision of Derby-born Jamie Quince-Starkey and his Down To Earth Derby team.
Since its creation on the site of the former Princes supermarket, the venue has hosted live talks, educational events, markets, and night-time events, as well as providing an alternative space for people to socialise.
Plans are currently being considered to make the site permanent after it started out as a temporary space.
On Friday night (August 1) Electric Daisy will feature on long-running TV show Gardeners’ World on BBC Two at 8pm. The news has been hailed by thrilled venue bosses as a “big moment”.
The show’s website, which previews the upcoming episode, says it will feature “a remarkable group of gardeners in Derby who are doing great things for the community”.
On a social media video, founder Mr Quince-Starkey said: “We have finally hit the mainstream with all our ideas, what we are about and what we are trying to achieve.
“You can hear it on BBC Two. I’m excited to see it, I’ve not seen it yet. Watch it with us – let’s do a countdown and watch it together. Big moment for us all.”
Businesses in and around Derby say Electric Daisy has benefited the city in so many ways.
John Forkin, managing director of Marketing Derby, said: “Electric Daisy has been a big success in drawing visitors into the Cathedral Quarter and is exactly the type of creative cultural and leisure activity needed in Derby. Before they opened, this prime city centre site had been derelict for years.
Karl Shaw, manager of Mr Shaw’s House in Sadler Gate, said previously: “We think it’s beneficial for the street. We’ve got this gorgeous street that now tail-ends with the beautiful garden and Electric Daisy, and we’re all for making the city greener.”