Pier rollerskating plan to pull in trade (From Echo)

Pier rollerskating plan to pull in trade

7:44am Wednesday 14th May 2008

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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."

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