A BUSINESSMAN with big dreams hopes to open the first roller skating rink in Basildon.

Scott Hales, 36, is hoping to bring a bit of Eighties glamour back to the town, by transforming an empty industrial unit at the Burnt Mills Industrial Estate into a first-class skating facility.

The father-of-three, of Langdon Hills, may need to spend £200,000 turning the space, in Repton Close, into Rolla Mania.

He has applied to Basildon Council to change the use of the building from industrial to leisure, and will submit detailed plans if this is allowed.

Mr Hales hopes if things go his way he could even open the roller rink for the school summer holidays.

He said: “There is so little around here for kids to do, and I think a roller skating rink would do really well in Basildon.

“It is something I have been thinking about for years. I used to go to the rink in Rochford when I was little. Now I take my daughters to the new one which has opened, and they love it.

“There is nowhere for young people to go in their spare time in Basildon, so I want to create a space where youngsters can spend their free time, instead of hanging around on the streets.”

Mr Hales said the venture could create ten full-time and up to 50 part-time jobs, and would include a new snack bar, skate hire, a DJ and two dance studios in the unit.

The new rink would be opposite Partyman World and the Laser Kombat arena in the industrial park, which are already very popular with children and families.

Aaron Othman, who is the executive company director of Partyman World, welcomed the plans, saying it could create a leisure park for families.

He said: “We have had a chat with Mr Hales and it seemed like a really good idea. I think another leisure facility would work really well in the park.

“A roller skating rink would attract lots of people, so it would be really good all round.”

Basildon Council said the change of use should be decided by June 13.