‘Desperate’ efforts to save skating business

SHOREHAM’S popular indoor roller skating rink is desperate for a new home to save it from closure.
The roller skating rink at Roller Central in Shoreham S38571H12The roller skating rink at Roller Central in Shoreham S38571H12
The roller skating rink at Roller Central in Shoreham S38571H12

GYSO Roller Central will have to leave the former Parcelforce site, in Brighton Road, on December 31.

The move follows a successful planning application by WN Developments for flats and a foodstore, which were approved for the site back in June.

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Maria Fry, who set up the roller skating business with her sons Robert and Daniel Papworth in August 2011, said they now urgently need a new site.

She explained: “We have been trying and working non-stop to find somewhere to move the business to, however, due to planning regulations we are finding this impossible.

“I have been told by the council that we need a ‘stand alone’ building, like we have at the moment, before they would consider changing the planning to leisure.

“We are getting really desperate now as time is running out and its looking more and more likely we will have to pack up.”

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Maria said they had been looking within a 10-mile radius of the current base, but with no luck, so they are now expanding their search further afield.

The skating rink, which features regular disco sessions, has proved hugely popular with children, families and adults alike in Shoreham and surrounding areas.

Maria added: “We were always on a temporary lease at Brighton Road, but having built the business to such a level, we could never have envisaged it would be so difficult to find an alternative site to rehouse us.

“We very much wish to continue to provide this healthy and fun sport to all our customers, and would be looking to add different dimensions, such as a soft play area for younger family members when they are too young for skating, and a proper café area to provide food and drinks for the people who spend many hours with us.

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“The GYSO team are ‘ready to roll’ as soon as a suitable property is found, and in the meantime we will continue to work and increase our outside leisure centre venues.”

She thanked their supporters and valued customers, including skaters, skateboarders and BMX biker riders, for their help since they opened.

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