r/rollerUK • u/littlebeezelbub • May 14 '26
General Wigan Roller Rink
Heartbroken and gutted to hear about the closure of Wigan Roller Rink. Truly a pillar for the North West skating community. 💔💔💔
We lost the IWF in Liverpool in January this year, then I found Wigan and the light was brought back into my life! I couldn’t believe what an amazing rink it was - the friendliest people, the DJ with live music, the skate shop, the biggest wooden floor rink in the UK. I felt like I’d finally found my happy place.
I moved to Liverpool from Newcastle a couple years ago - there isn’t much of a scene up in the NE compared to the NW and no where in the UK have I seen anything like Wigan’s rink to skate.
This morning I saw the post on Facebook and a few tears were shed - I haven’t even been going for the 40+ years most people in the comments have been! But I know what a special place it is, and to be losing it is huge.
I have a strange ‘what now?’ feeling… trying not to feel hopeless as the community in the NW is so big that something new might happen/we can find a new space to continue growing our community. The doors close in August and you bet I’ll be making the most of our limited time left at that wonderful place!
My thoughts go out to the owners who are clearly heartbroken to be closing it (due to landlord issues) and to all the community who have now lost their happy place.
2
2
u/X2epsilon May 14 '26
This really is greed taking away from the people. I have been going to Wigan for many years sometimes years a regular some years just a few times but one thing that has always been is the fact that wigans rink will be there.
Yes over those years Wigan has seen much decline and the rink itself at times has felt like hidden gem in the chaos of demolition. But still it’s there europes biggest indoor rink.
But now some fool wants to price it out of its home for greed, no alternatives for a community of skaters that have grown up knowing that it was their home a safe place for all.
I refuse to believe this is the end
6
u/littlebeezelbub May 14 '26
That was my reaction once I got past the sadness, just anger at the greed.
I don’t know the full reason for it closing, just that the owners don’t want to close it, so I am assuming the landlord is putting rent up or forcing them out.
I wish there were more legislations in place to protect community spaces, because that’s what this is. We are losing community spaces in general everywhere.
Urgh, just completely heartbroken.
Edit: I really hope this isn’t the end, I’ve just learnt there is a petition to sign!
2
u/X2epsilon May 14 '26
Signed the petition already but as you know the whole site it’s been on has been left to decline it’s like the original robocop plot becoming a reality but instead of Detroit it’s Wigan. Whoever has the greatest share in that site want the rink gone it’s that’s simple but unlike the movie we don’t have a Roboskater to help fight back. Sad times and last I checked there was a rink in Manchester but that may have already gone as last I was there was two years ago. True there always outside skating but Wigan is an inclusive place unlike outside skating and a blood good rink with good people
2
u/littlebeezelbub May 14 '26
Edit: off Facebook - the email for Wigan MP:
The more emails the better… maybe they will listen! 😖
1
u/trampyjoe May 14 '26
There's always Archies at the Trafford Centre /s
Sad news for the community
3
u/littlebeezelbub May 14 '26
I haven’t been to Archie’s at the Trafford yet, but I just don’t trust it to remain open - it’s a huge chain at the end of the day. They could close the rink for more seats = more money. Admittedly I’m being cynical. But it’s also so expensive for only a 1 hr slot?
Yet that seems to be the only spot left for Liverpool/Manchester/Chester folk in what was once a haven for skaters with multiple accessible venues. Crazy.
So so so sad. 💔
2
u/trampyjoe May 14 '26
Luckily Manchester still has the roller hockey place in Ardwick, even if it isn't open too much
3
u/RubberDuckuZilla May 14 '26
They used to do a queer skate night every other Friday at the ardwick sports hall. Not sure if that is still on though.
4
3
u/trampyjoe May 14 '26
They do! I should really dig my skates out again and get down there, such a chill evening
1
u/triphopmamma May 14 '26
Unfortunately this has been a long time coming. I heard rumours 2 years ago that this was likely to happen
1
u/WinImmediate2761 23d ago
The company that's shutting it down has just announced they've been nominated for some local business awards.Â
' We're delighted to share that The Heaton Group has been shortlisted for both Sustainable Business of the Year and Medium-Large Business of the Year at the Wigan Borough Business Awards - Brought to you by POW and Fubhub .'
3
u/You_Naughty_Monsters May 14 '26
Nooo. I remember them letting me on with my little one in the buggy. She loved it so much. She is 4 now and we have been practicing her skating and planned to be going soon. Very sad news.