Our Community Craft Hub Project is under way!

Phases One and Two completed!


During May and early June 2026, we were able to get started on setting up our site. The first stage was to prepare for bringing in a container, which would act as a temporary workshop and store for materials and tools.

For the container, we prepared four concrete ‘pads’ that it would sit on, stopping it from sinking into the ground. Members of our group spent two days, digging and concreting to get the pads ready.

The next stage was getting the container delivered and put in place.

Finally, to secure the site and the container, contractors erected an eight foot fence around the site. See the section below for a summary on the work so far.

With everything in place, members have set about lining the container, making a workbench and bringing in some of the materials and tools from our temporary storage.


Opening Day – 13th June!


To celebrate the progress so far, we are holding an Opening Day for Phase One and Two on Saturday 13th July, from 12.30pm.

We are hoping to have a slot on Radio Derby in the morning and our local MP, Catherine Atkinson has kindly agreed to attend and perform the ‘cutting of the ribbon’ to officially open the completion of the first major phase of the project.

Click on the picture to find out more about Leisure United

The Site

The Old Racecourse is probably known to most residents of Derby. It sits in the West Chaddesden area and siting our Shed there will bring a much needed amenity to that local area. It’s close to the city centre and has good access and parking

Leisure United – our partner


Leisure United, in collaboration with Derby City Council, recently refurbished and extended the sports and leisure facility on the Old Racecourse, with improved and expanded five a side football pitches and a new improved service building. In the autumn of 2025 they kindly offered Oakwood Neighbours Shed a suitable site to build our ‘Shed’.


Getting things set up


Now we have a site and a container, the real work begins, getting it ready to use as a temporary workshop and store our materials and tools.

The video shows a timeline of getting the container fitted out and the site security fence going up.


Building the Hub one step at a time…

  1. ‘Base Camp’ – Shipping container base
  2. Perimeter Fence – around wildlife friendly features
  3. Ground Works – Reinforced 10cm concrete slab
  4. Community Craft Hub – A garage style workshop
  5. Equipping the Hub – Fitting out the Hub itself

The Shed – Community Craft Hub Project

Why ‘The Shed’?


Now things are fully under way and we expect to have the shed building itself set up by the end of 2026, we need to give some thought to ‘branding’ the project.

Our project has been a while in gestation and when we first set it up, the idea was to try and establish our Shed in the Oakwood area of Derby – hence the name of our organisation. But things have moved on – our site is actually in neighbouring Chaddesden, so should should the Shed have a different name, less area-centric. We will be the first community Shed in Derby, so why not just ‘The Shed’ – in Derby?


What do you think? Do you have any ideas for a new name? Get in touch and put your ideas forward.