Banks Mill Studios

Comprising of 38 clean and dirty studios and a ground floor gallery, Banks Mill offers stepped rents along with vital business support services and a connected community of peers to ensure success at all levels of enterprise growth. They have a diverse range of creative industry disciplines within Banks Mill – from jewellery makers to printmakers, computer games to fine artists. The residents and members are both University of Derby students and graduates, and creative entrepreneurs not connected with the University.

Support Services

Banks Mill provides a nurturing and supportive environment for new creative businesses, increasing the potential for growth, success and sustainability. The vibrant creative community helps to build confidence and explore ideas and opportunities.

Support is available through the critical stages of start-up and growth, helping young businesses to flourish. This assistance is provided right from the beginning, when an idea is just the seed of something great and guides you through business planning, launch and expansion.

They provide:

One-to-one business support sessions
Workshops and events on topical and relevant business issues
Free membership to the East Midlands Chamber of Commerce
Opportunities to network
Promotion of your business through our monthly e-newsletter, social media channels and profile on our website
Option to exhibit – through our annual Open Studios event, solo foyer shows, or as part of a number of co-ordinated Banks Mill group exhibitions
Affordable, stepped rental charges.

For more information including pricing on joining our Banks Mill Studio network.

Open Studios

Every year we host our Open Studios event to enable our artists, designers, makers and creative services businesses to display their unique designs. Take a look at the highlights from one of our Open Studios events.

Find out more about our clients

A man in a dark jumper sat with his back to the camera on his sewing machine

Alexey Morozov

University of Derby graduate celebrates first year in business.

A lady with thick curly hair and glasses, painting a ceramic stag.

Sunter Studio

Abbie Sunter is a ceramicist based at Banks Mill Studios in Derby who developed her business after graduating from the University of Derby in 2014 with a BA (Hons) in Fine Art.

A lady holding her hands above her head in a prayer position with her eyes closed.

Aishwarya Deshpande - Move for Wellbeing

Move for Wellbeing is a psychotherapy service that uses dance and movement as a therapeutic medium for self- expression and offers movement therapy services in Derby.

A blonde lady wearing a burgundy apron, over a blue floral shirt

China Petals

Growing your business despite a Global Pandemic.

Head and shoulders shot of Stevie Davies, artist and designer

Stevie Davies Glass

Stevie Davies is an artist and designer who works with glass, and she's spent the last six and a half years developing her business at our incubation unit, Banks Mill Studios.

Young woman smiling at camera, wearing a sage green jumper and red, brick wall backdrop

Flomotion Limited

Specialists in sports apparel & wearable technology