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Pier rollerskating plan to pull in trade
A ROLLERSKATING rink could come to Southend Pier if new plans for the famous landmark get the go ahead.
The £50,000 rink could be provided on the former bowling alley platform at the shore end of the pier.
The cash would be provided through a Government grant to encourage new business.
Anita Thornberry, head of regeneration and tourism, put forward the idea and has asked Southend Council's cabinet to consider it.
She said the rollerskating rink would encourage more people to come to the Southend, particularly during the school summer holidays, and also increase the amount of time they spent in the town.
She also said if the scheme was successful, then it would pay for itself in the future.
John Lamb, councillor responsible for regeneration, said the temporary ice skating rink at Victoria Circus was hugely popular, but it was not feasible to have that on the pier.
He said: "We want to look at whether it would be possible to have a rollerskating rink on the platform.
"It is clear there are a lot of people who enjoy going rollerskating and it is not just youngsters, but people of all ages.
"When Roller City closed, in Aviation Way, Eastwood, it was missed by many. We hope it may be possible to bring some small facility back to the town."
But some people in the town questioned whether rollerskating was still a popular pastime.
Jamie Wilson, co-owner of Switch Skatestore, off Broadway West, Leigh has doubts whether a skating rink would atract customers.
He said: "Rollerskating used to be popular until recently, but it has died out among all my customers.
"I believe what is really needed is at least one indoor skateboarding park."
£120,000 to kickstart sea-based festival
A WATER-THEMED event in Southend is being planned to bring visitors into the town over the August bank holiday weekend.
Anita Thornberry, Southend Council's head of tourism, has recommended spending a £120,000 business grant to get it under way.
No ideas have been put forward yet, but council bosses hope to get the idea off the ground this year.
John Lamb, councillor responsible for regeneration, said: "We are anxious to get this idea off the ground in 2008.
"There are no hard and fast ideas at the moment and we hope that anyone who has any ideas will come forward and talk to us. We will be seeing what other events are going on at the time and how we can work on these as part of the whole festival."
7:44am Wednesday 14th May 2008
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CommentPosted by: dave turner on 9:22am Wed 14 May 08
£120,000 to be spent on getting ideas on a Water based Scheme, sounds more like entertainment on council meetings with very little "water" being consumed with the meals.
Stop taking the people of the Borough as complete fools and spend the money on the outstanding problems i. e. two lifts, the cliffs just to name two.
This money plus the ludicrous amount proposed on the Priory Crescent road scheme could be put to the outstanding mess the visits to the seafront have been looking at for years.
£120,000 to be spent on getting ideas on a Water based Scheme, sounds more like entertainment on council meetings with very little "water" being consumed with the meals.
Stop taking the people of the Borough as complete fools and spend the money on the outstanding problems i. e. two lifts, the cliffs just to name two.
This money plus the ludicrous amount proposed on the Priory Crescent road scheme could be put to the outstanding mess the visits to the seafront have been looking at for years.
Posted by: Dan, North Leigh on 9:57am Wed 14 May 08
A rollerskating rink is a really great idea - that'll definitely pull plenty of people towards the pier, both visitors and locals. Best idea the Council have had in a long time - what a surprise it wasn't proposed by a councillor, they're all useless!
It's been too long since the old Roller City on Aviation Way closed down!
A rollerskating rink is a really great idea - that'll definitely pull plenty of people towards the pier, both visitors and locals. Best idea the Council have had in a long time - what a surprise it wasn't proposed by a councillor, they're all useless!
It's been too long since the old Roller City on Aviation Way closed down!
Posted by: Dan, North Leigh on 10:23am Wed 14 May 08
[quote]But some people in the town questioned whether rollerskating was still a popular pastime.
Jamie Wilson, co-owner of Switch Skatestore, off Broadway West, Leigh has doubts whether a skating rink would atract customers.
[/quote]
From my time at university in Leeds I know this is not the case. A couple of nightclubs recently started putting on roller disco nights including skate hire and were absolutely bowled over at the response - so much so that the event has moved to a much bigger venue.
Skate hire by the seaside in the summer in a more accessible location than an industrial state near rochford? I think we have a winner (just as long as it's covered for all year round weather!)
But some people in the town questioned whether rollerskating was still a popular pastime.
Jamie Wilson, co-owner of Switch Skatestore, off Broadway West, Leigh has doubts whether a skating rink would atract customers.
From my time at university in Leeds I know this is not the case. A couple of nightclubs recently started putting on roller disco nights including skate hire and were absolutely bowled over at the response - so much so that the event has moved to a much bigger venue.
Skate hire by the seaside in the summer in a more accessible location than an industrial state near rochford? I think we have a winner (just as long as it's covered for all year round weather!)
Posted by: Partyboy, Saarfend on 10:52am Wed 14 May 08
Rollver city.... that brings back memories!
BULLDOG!!!!!!
Rollver city.... that brings back memories!
BULLDOG!!!!!!
Posted by: Partyboy, Saarfend on 10:53am Wed 14 May 08
[quote][bold]Partyboy[/bold] wrote:
Rollver city.... that brings back memories! BULLDOG!!!!!![/quote] meant ROLLER... Doh!!!
Partyboy wrote:
Rollver city.... that brings back memories! BULLDOG!!!!!!
meant ROLLER... Doh!!!
Posted by: Des, southend on 12:57pm Wed 14 May 08
What a great idea to bring back a roller rink to Southend. As a young lad living in York road. One of the highlight of the week was to the, old palace roller rink at the bottom of pier hill.The owner was a fella called Pete and all the kids liked him. just the other day i was chatting to a buddy of mine and said we should go roller skateing.to the laughter of the kids. (well we are both 40 now). So bring it on.
What a great idea to bring back a roller rink to Southend. As a young lad living in York road. One of the highlight of the week was to the, old palace roller rink at the bottom of pier hill.The owner was a fella called Pete and all the kids liked him. just the other day i was chatting to a buddy of mine and said we should go roller skateing.to the laughter of the kids. (well we are both 40 now). So bring it on.
Posted by: Steve, Benfleet on 1:13pm Wed 14 May 08
Yes I agree, sounds like a great idea to me too, still have good memories of those Roller City days :)
Yes I agree, sounds like a great idea to me too, still have good memories of those Roller City days :)
Posted by: Andy, Southend on 3:17pm Wed 14 May 08
[quote][bold]Steve[/bold] wrote:
Yes I agree, sounds like a great idea to me too, still have good memories of those Roller City days :)[/quote] Alas..No doubt the 'youts' of today would rather hang about swigging bottles of WKD and stabbing each over. I can't see a Roller Rink being a success, but hey..I may be wrong.
Steve wrote:
Yes I agree, sounds like a great idea to me too, still have good memories of those Roller City days :)
Alas..No doubt the 'youts' of today would rather hang about swigging bottles of WKD and stabbing each over. I can't see a Roller Rink being a success, but hey..I may be wrong.
Posted by: Dan, n on 3:31pm Wed 14 May 08
[quote][bold]Andy[/bold] wrote:
[quote][bold]Steve[/bold] wrote: Yes I agree, sounds like a great idea to me too, still have good memories of those Roller City days :)[/quote] Alas..No doubt the 'youts' of today would rather hang about swigging bottles of WKD and stabbing each over. I can't see a Roller Rink being a success, but hey..I may be wrong.[/quote] Funnily enough, not all young people behave in the same way...
Andy wrote:
Steve wrote: Yes I agree, sounds like a great idea to me too, still have good memories of those Roller City days :)
Alas..No doubt the 'youts' of today would rather hang about swigging bottles of WKD and stabbing each over. I can't see a Roller Rink being a success, but hey..I may be wrong.
Funnily enough, not all young people behave in the same way...
Posted by: Spectre, Romford on 4:15pm Wed 14 May 08
It sounds like a complete waste of money to me. Only a certain number of people can rollerskate and the rest of us will just have to walk on by.
Why can't the bowling alley make a return? I used to love going there to bowl and this can be enjoyed by the whole family, not just 6 - 16 year olds!
It sounds like a complete waste of money to me. Only a certain number of people can rollerskate and the rest of us will just have to walk on by.
Why can't the bowling alley make a return? I used to love going there to bowl and this can be enjoyed by the whole family, not just 6 - 16 year olds!
Posted by: Partyboy, Saarfend on 4:22pm Wed 14 May 08
[quote][bold]Spectre[/bold] wrote:
It sounds like a complete waste of money to me. Only a certain number of people can rollerskate and the rest of us will just have to walk on by. Why can't the bowling alley make a return? I used to love going there to bowl and this can be enjoyed by the whole family, not just 6 - 16 year olds![/quote] Learn to skate! You may be rubbish at it but practice makes perfect. Not everyone can bowl but after practice you can pick it up. It might even do a little towards the growing obesity problem. Get your kids to skate instead of sitting on their fat a**es playing the playstation! Im 27 and can guarantee Ill be digging my BAUER TURBO's out!!!!
Spectre wrote:
It sounds like a complete waste of money to me. Only a certain number of people can rollerskate and the rest of us will just have to walk on by. Why can't the bowling alley make a return? I used to love going there to bowl and this can be enjoyed by the whole family, not just 6 - 16 year olds!
Learn to skate! You may be rubbish at it but practice makes perfect. Not everyone can bowl but after practice you can pick it up. It might even do a little towards the growing obesity problem. Get your kids to skate instead of sitting on their fat a**es playing the playstation! Im 27 and can guarantee Ill be digging my BAUER TURBO's out!!!!
Posted by: Marshwalker, Shoeburyness on 4:51pm Wed 14 May 08
Just in case nobody else remembers, Roller city was not the first roller skateing ring in southend. The first one on the pier burnt down and was replaced by the bowling ally. there was also another rink to the east of the old gas works, for the life of me I cannot rember what it was called. People of all ages have for years enjoyed roller skating it will still be popular in a 100 years, if we do-not blow our selves into oblivion first!!
Just in case nobody else remembers, Roller city was not the first roller skateing ring in southend. The first one on the pier burnt down and was replaced by the bowling ally. there was also another rink to the east of the old gas works, for the life of me I cannot rember what it was called. People of all ages have for years enjoyed roller skating it will still be popular in a 100 years, if we do-not blow our selves into oblivion first!!
Posted by: beth, hawkwell on 5:09pm Wed 14 May 08
oooh it would be great if they do that. i will have to dig out my in liners, i used to take my kids to roller city every thursday nights before they closed it down for that exclusive health place that no one in the local vicinity can afford to use.
oooh it would be great if they do that. i will have to dig out my in liners, i used to take my kids to roller city every thursday nights before they closed it down for that exclusive health place that no one in the local vicinity can afford to use.
Posted by: John, southend on 6:27pm Wed 14 May 08
For goodness sake - a town this size should not have to think either /or, we should be having both roller skating AND a bowling alley AND an olympic sized swimming pool in the centre of town. Museums open all week AND a decent larger art gallery then everyone should be pleased. Come on southend council spend some of that money we give you on things we need.
For goodness sake - a town this size should not have to think either /or, we should be having both roller skating AND a bowling alley AND an olympic sized swimming pool in the centre of town. Museums open all week AND a decent larger art gallery then everyone should be pleased. Come on southend council spend some of that money we give you on things we need.
Posted by: SkaterGirl!, Southend on 6:36pm Wed 14 May 08
[quote][bold]Partyboy[/bold] wrote:
[quote][bold]Spectre[/bold] wrote:
It sounds like a complete waste of money to me. Only a certain number of people can rollerskate and the rest of us will just have to walk on by. Why can't the bowling alley make a return? I used to love going there to bowl and this can be enjoyed by the whole family, not just 6 - 16 year olds![/quote] Learn to skate! You may be rubbish at it but practice makes perfect. Not everyone can bowl but after practice you can pick it up. It might even do a little towards the growing obesity problem. Get your kids to skate instead of sitting on their fat a**es playing the playstation! Im 27 and can guarantee Ill be digging my BAUER TURBO's out!!!![/quote] Totally for the idea! I'm 33 and still love skating and I know there's quite a few people older than me that still love it! Would be fantastic to go to the pier to skate rather than have to travel all the way to the nearest rink in Colchester where we go to at the moment! I got my kids skating too & they love it as much as I do!
Partyboy wrote:
Spectre wrote:
It sounds like a complete waste of money to me. Only a certain number of people can rollerskate and the rest of us will just have to walk on by. Why can't the bowling alley make a return? I used to love going there to bowl and this can be enjoyed by the whole family, not just 6 - 16 year olds!
Learn to skate! You may be rubbish at it but practice makes perfect. Not everyone can bowl but after practice you can pick it up. It might even do a little towards the growing obesity problem. Get your kids to skate instead of sitting on their fat a**es playing the playstation! Im 27 and can guarantee Ill be digging my BAUER TURBO's out!!!!
Totally for the idea! I'm 33 and still love skating and I know there's quite a few people older than me that still love it! Would be fantastic to go to the pier to skate rather than have to travel all the way to the nearest rink in Colchester where we go to at the moment! I got my kids skating too & they love it as much as I do!
Posted by: CaptGuvnor, Sarpend Greater Loondon on 10:02pm Wed 14 May 08
So why did Roller City close?
So why did Roller City close?
Posted by: Angie, Eastwood on 11:19pm Wed 14 May 08
Bringing back skating to Southend would be great, I was a roller city girl in my teens and now a mum in my 30's I still love to skate, even teaching my son to. we travel to Colchester ever week and some nights its packed with lots of people from the Southend area, I think it would be Great for us older skaters and the youngster's to have a Good old bit of FUN and keep fit to!! US SKATERS NEED A RINK[/bold]
Bringing back skating to Southend would be great, I was a roller city girl in my teens and now a mum in my 30's I still love to skate, even teaching my son to. we travel to Colchester ever week and some nights its packed with lots of people from the Southend area, I think it would be Great for us older skaters and the youngster's to have a Good old bit of FUN and keep fit to!! US SKATERS NEED A RINK
Posted by: darren paine on 11:21pm Wed 14 May 08
lets have a roller skating rink!!
roller city was really popular in its heyday
adults and teens would use it
its a good healty sport and is just what we need to keep the kids off the street
never did me no harm when i was growing up made lots of friends and my wife at the old roller city
we should also have a ice rink as well as we are a tourist town give people something to visit!!
lets have a roller skating rink!!
roller city was really popular in its heyday
adults and teens would use it
its a good healty sport and is just what we need to keep the kids off the street
never did me no harm when i was growing up made lots of friends and my wife at the old roller city
we should also have a ice rink as well as we are a tourist town give people something to visit!!
Posted by: Ian, Benfleet on 7:44am Thu 15 May 08
[quote]roller city was really popular in its [bold]heyday[/bold] [/quote]
So was the Kursaal in its heyday. But look at it now, despite all the money that has been spent on it over the past few years.
roller city was really popular in its heyday
So was the Kursaal in its heyday. But look at it now, despite all the money that has been spent on it over the past few years.
Posted by: Trunkymunghound, Bafildon on 7:49am Thu 15 May 08
[quote][bold]CaptGuvnor[/bold] wrote:
So why did Roller City close? [/quote] because it was not paying it's way. If it had been, it would still be there
Same with that old rink down Pier Hill from yonks ago
CaptGuvnor wrote:
So why did Roller City close?
because it was not paying it's way. If it had been, it would still be there
Same with that old rink down Pier Hill from yonks ago
Posted by: Dan, North Leigh on 9:45am Thu 15 May 08
[quote][bold]CaptGuvnor[/bold] wrote:
So why did Roller City close? [/quote] Bit out of the way, wasn't it? Not everyone wants to drive out to an industrial estate!
CaptGuvnor wrote:
So why did Roller City close?
Bit out of the way, wasn't it? Not everyone wants to drive out to an industrial estate!
Posted by: Joker7, The sunny side on 3:33pm Thu 15 May 08
What a waste of money,I beleave Roller City closed as it could not make money!
We don't want a stop gap idea whats needed is a full programe from the Pier -not bit's and bobs .
What a waste of money,I beleave Roller City closed as it could not make money!
We don't want a stop gap idea whats needed is a full programe from the Pier -not bit's and bobs .
Posted by: On Track, Westcliff on 7:14pm Thu 15 May 08
Better to have something rather than to have nothing.
Better to have something rather than to have nothing.
Posted by: Angie, Hullbridge on 2:05pm Fri 16 May 08
Roller skating is the best feeling in the world..Now i am teaching my daughter we NEED A RINK closer than colchester...There are alot of us skaters out there than you think..lol
Roller skating is the best feeling in the world..Now i am teaching my daughter we NEED A RINK closer than colchester...There are alot of us skaters out there than you think..lol
Posted by: Michelle, Leigh-On-Sea on 4:28pm Fri 16 May 08
My whole family thinks its a brill idea, it brings back our Roller City days, the nearest one is Colchester we went there a little while ago it was excellent made me feel young again it took us 1hr & a half to get there, we would love to jump on a bus & be there in half an hour, Please Please let it happen, its for all ages to have fun and keep fit, it will be EXCELLENT
My whole family thinks its a brill idea, it brings back our Roller City days, the nearest one is Colchester we went there a little while ago it was excellent made me feel young again it took us 1hr & a half to get there, we would love to jump on a bus & be there in half an hour, Please Please let it happen, its for all ages to have fun and keep fit, it will be EXCELLENT
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