Wigan MP Lisa Nandy has called for efforts to secure the future of Wigan Roller Rink following confirmation the venue will close in August.
The rink, based at the old Eckersley Mill site on Swan Meadow Road, recently announced it would be forced to shut as redevelopment work at the site moves forward.
Since the announcement, thousands of people have backed a petition calling for the rink to be saved, with more than 7,000 signatures now recorded.
In a letter shared online, Ms Nandy said she was “really concerned” by reports that the rink is set to close in the coming months.
She wrote: “Wigan Roller Rink has long been a facility of vital importance for both the physical and mental health and wellbeing of those who use it as well as an important attraction and day out for the thousands outside of our Borough who visit it every week.
“It is not just part of our town’s fabric and heritage, but a deserved source of pride which I believe it is vital we maintain.”
The Wigan MP confirmed she had written to both The Heaton Group and Wigan Council asking that “everything possible is done” to support the future of the rink, either at Eckersley Mill or at another venue.
Last week, rink owners Gary and Dawn Holding said the closure felt like “the end of an era” after confirming they would be forced to leave the site.
In a statement shared on social media, they said the venue had become “so much more” than a skating rink and thanked customers for their support over the years.
The closure is linked to the wider Cotton Works regeneration project being carried out by The Heaton Group.
Lee Dalgleish, commercial property manager of The Heaton Group, previously said:
“We’re all saddened by the prospect of Wigan Roller Rink closing and understand how important it is to its customers, families and community groups.
“While the current lease will come to an end as part of our redevelopment plans for that part of the site, we hope the rink can find a new home and avoid closure. We have already engaged with Wigan Council to see whether a new home for the rink could be found.”
The Heaton Group also said rising construction costs meant previous plans for a replacement rink at the Cotton Works development were “no longer financially viable”.
Wigan Roller Rink has confirmed it will remain open until August 31 and says extra skating sessions and events will be added to the schedule over the coming months before the venue closes.
I have been in touch with both The Heaton Group and Wigan Council for reaction and will update this when I hear back from them.
Updated with statements from Wigan Council and The Heaton Group.
Wigan Council:
A spokesperson for The Heaton Group, said:
“We thank Lisa for her letter. We are in the process of providing detailed feasibility information and analysis about a potential new rink, work which has spanned the past three years.
“Wigan Roller Rink is an important attraction for the community, and we understand why so many people have signed the petition. We want to do what we can to see whether a new home for the rink can be found.
“Our talks with Wigan Council remain ongoing and we also plan to hold further discussions with the Roller Rink team to hear their ideas and input.
“Our transformational work in Wigan is turning long-neglected mill buildings into leisure, commercial and living spaces, while bringing new investment and jobs to the town.
“We care deeply about Wigan and remain committed to working constructively with the Council, the Roller Rink team and other partners to explore whether a viable future for skating can be secured.”
