Heartbreak as bosses of the iconic Wigan Roller Rink announce that is being forced to close

Plans to create a new venue within the Cotton Works site, where it is based, have had to be ditched because of mounting costs and health and safety concerns, although the landlords say they are working with Wigan Council to find an alternative home.

But the initial reaction of customers and locals has been of dismay and anger.

A statement from the rink’s owners, Gary and Dawn Holding, reads: “We are deeply saddened to announce the closure of our business. A decision has been made by the landlord which forces us to close.

"What started as a skating rink became so much more - a home for skaters, friendships, memories and a community we will cherish forever.

"This truly feels like the end of an era, and it is impossible to put into words how grateful we are for every single person who supported us along the way.

"Closing our doors is an enormous loss, not only for us but the skating community we have been proud to be part of. We know how much this space means to so many.”

Monday August 31 will be the final day of skating and extra events have been promised in the intervening weeks.

From the outset Heaton Group, which has taken ownership of the former Eckersley’s Mills site and begun turning it into the urban village called Cotton Works, said that a relocated roller rink would be part of its long-term plans.

But commercial property manager Lee Dalgleish said today: “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.

“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.

“We carefully explored whether the existing rink could remain open during the next phase of the Cotton Works development.

"Unfortunately, this would require customers, including children and families, to access it through a live building site. We cannot create a safe entrance in those circumstances, and health and safety must come first.

“We appreciate this has been a difficult time for Dawn and Gary and everyone connected with the rink.

"We are open to facilitating discussions with any parties who may be able to help secure a future for skating in the town."

“Cotton Works is a £250m regeneration project which is set to bring 1,200 new jobs to Wigan.

"The next phases are now progressing, including new commercial spaces and an Assisted Living Quarter, delivering much needed specialist homes as part of the wider regeneration of the site.”

The rink was opened by Dave Whelen in 1979 in what was the Eckersley’s Mills’ old dining hall and was hugely popular until its first closure in 1990 when it was replaced by an indoor kart track.

By popular demand, though, it relaunched in 2010 and has been running there ever since.

A change.org petition has already been launched to prompt a U-turn.

Inevitably there was upset on social media combined with many fond memories.

Paul Daly said the closure had come after “months and months of negotiations to fit the rink into the mills project,” and that the landlords had turned on their original plans with the loss of a number of jobs and an establishment that has served Wigan for many years.

He added: “The owners of the mills have received a lot of praise of late for the development of the area and how many jobs they have created around the complex, however this sours a lot of the good work that has been done.”

Sally Ally wrote: “Absolutely gutted. My daughter loves coming here. She’s not particularly sporty and used to lack confidence, but discovering the roller rink about 18 months ago really helped bring her out of her shell.”

Kathryn Rimmer wrote: “The roller rink can't go the same way as the Casino, and the Pier. I've just taken my five-year-old daughter there to get her confidence up roller skating and me too.

"They need to be provided with an alternative venue at the very least not just evicted.”

Ross Cooper wroter: “That’s very sad. I skated there for years and even worked behind the bar until it was closed the first time in 1990.

"I was so happy when it was brought back to life and hoped it would live forever.”

Sheryl Power wrote: “I skated there in my childhood and taught my own kids to skate there.

"One of them is now a regular and has been for about eight years, becoming better than I ever was.”

Kieron Edwards wrote: “Wigan Roller Rink is the reason I started skating again recently and my wife began to skate for the first time in her life.

"We come regularly now and were truly devastated being told the news mid session.”

And Chrissy Billington wrote: “It definitely needs saving. It’s such a well loved place in Wigan and provides so much fun for young and old.

"Surely there is somewhere for it within the new development going on in Wigan. This is a staple for Wigan.”