A striking new mural, commissioned as part of Derby City Council’s initiative to enhance the city centre, has now been finished. Located on the Bold Lane substation, between St Werburgh’s Church and Bold Lane Car Park, the artwork is a key feature of a broader public realm improvement scheme.
This initiative, building on recent openings like Vaillant Live and the refurbished Derby Market Hall, aims to install eye-catching public art that celebrates Derby’s unique identity. The programme seeks to beautify prominent city centre spaces and foster a stronger connection between people and their surroundings.
The mural was created by Derby-born artist Natalie Coe. Her contemporary design showcases local flora and fauna, prominently featuring Jacob’s Ladder, the flower of Derbyshire. This choice reflects the artist’s deep connection to the region and the city’s rich heritage.
“"The design weaves together the flora of Derbyshire, with Jacob’s Ladder, the county flower at its heart, alongside the grass of parnassus and giant crocuses. I wanted it to feel playful yet also quietly classical. The palette was chosen to complement the leafy surroundings and brightens up an everyday building into something people want to look at. Every day while I was painting, passers-by stopped to share their reactions, and they were overwhelmingly positive. Public art creates dialogue, tells people that the places they live are worth caring about, and gives people a reason to feel proud of where they live."
Funded by the Government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund, the Bold Lane mural was identified as a priority site by the Council. Further public artworks are anticipated across the city centre in the upcoming months.
Councillor Gurkiran Kaur, Derby City Council Cabinet Member for City Centre, Culture and Tourism, expressed her enthusiasm. "In the summer we invited artists to submit ideas for mural artworks to help make our city centre brighter and more welcoming, and I'm thrilled to see the this one completed at Bold Lane substation," she stated. "This was one of our priority locations and the flora and fauna theme complements its surroundings beautifully, as well as the Electric Daisy artwork opposite."
Councillor Kaur added, "The mural is a great example of how public art can bring life, colour and character to our city centre. I look forward to seeing more artworks take shape over the coming months as we continue to make Derby an even more vibrant and welcoming place for residents and visitors alike." The public art programme is part of the council's ongoing efforts to enhance the city centre environment and support its development as a hub for culture, leisure, and business.
