Europe's biggest wood-floor roller rink to close
BBCThe largest wooden-floored roller rink in Europe is to close.
Wigan Roller Rink, in Wigan, in Greater Manchester, will shut in August, after four decades in the town.
Redevelopment plans for its Eckersley Mill site had originally included a new rink, but this is no longer the case.
"To say we're devastated is a complete understatement," rink director Dawn Holding told BBC Radio Manchester.
The rink is based within one of several historic buildings that make up the former cotton mill, which dates back to the late 1800s, and was one of the largest in the region.
The 17-acre site was approved for redevelopment last year with plans to build housing and entertainment venues.
Holding has said the business has now been given four months to leave.
Holden said there was not enough time to relocate.
"Four months is just not long enough to say goodbye," she said. "And certainly not long enough to find another venue.
"It is an impossible task."
Holding, who met her husband at the rink when she was 15, said the venue is a big part of the local community.
"We have people who came in the 80s who come now with their children and grandchildren," she said. "But we also have new skaters coming in too, which is a great compliment.
"This is a big issue for the skating community at the moment."
Tony Lee, 57, a regular visitor, said: "Coming here, relaxing and enjoying it throws all my stress away for a couple of hours. And keeps me fit as well."
Tony said the rink was "a big social place" for him and other regular skaters.
"A lot of people come here to meet up with people, and we would lose that," he explained.
Georgia-Lea Pearce, 18, said she has been skating at the rink since 2010, and has worked there for three years.
"I've been coming to the rink since I was two," she said. "I fell in love with the sport when I was a kid and my family did. And now I have my own little family here.
"The rink is everything that I do, and everything I take pride in."
Wigan Council has been urged to support efforts to save the rink.
"A lot of people are absolutely devastated that this facility is going to be lost," Holding said.
"We've had an amazing amount of support from the public."
Holding added that the council need to take action to avoid further "catastrophic decisions".
"A lot of amazing Wigan Heritage is being lost. The likes of the casino, Central Park, the Pier Night Club, the Orwell, The Way We Were, Hay Hall - all places that should be being preserved in the area," she said.
"They're talking about building new hotels and apartments. Who's going to want to come and live and stay in the hotels in this borough when there's absolutely nothing to do?"
Wigan Council declined to comment when contacted by the BBC.
Lee Dalgleish, from developers The Heaton Group, said the company hoped the rink could "find a new home and avoid closure".
"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," Dalgleish said.
"We have already engaged with Wigan Council to see whether a new home for the rink could be found.
"Our original Cotton Works plans from 2023 did include the construction of a new rink, but due to significant increases in build costs, this is no longer financially viable for us to deliver, or for an operator to lease on a long-term basis."
Dalgleish said there were discussions about keeping the rink open while building works took place at nearby sites, but it was decided that a safe entrance could not be created.
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