Markeaton Park in Derby to Increase Parking and Activity Fees

Car parking and play activity prices at a park in Derby are scheduled to rise next year. Derby City Council officers have approved proposals to increase charges by 3-5% as part of its annual review at Markeaton Park. Effective April 1, 2025, car parking charges are set to change as follows: up to one hour will increase from £1.80 to £1.90; up to two hours will rise from £2.80 to £2.90; up to four hours will go from £4.40 to £4.60; and over four hours will change from £5.50 to £5.70. The Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) reported that price increases will also apply to play and leisure activities at the Mundy Play Centre within the park, which includes canoe rides, a bouncy castle, children’s car rides, and mini golf. The cost of 18-hole pitch and putt golf is also slated to increase. In the council’s annual fees review, Derby Active decided to freeze its health and fitness membership prices at both Derby Arena and Springwood Leisure Centre. A report on leisure centre costs stated: “Should Derby Active increase its price it is likely to see a reduction in membership numbers as customers move to a same membership package at a lower rate.” Regarding the park fees, the report further added: “The climate and environment service annually reviews its fees and charges across a range of services. “This is to ensure that the fees and charges where applicable reflect the cost of delivering services, considering comparator rates for these services in the sector, ensure that inflationary cost increases are taken into account and to enable budget income targets to be achieved.”