Roller-skating rink set to close over rent dispute

A not-for-profit roller-skating rink has been left with "no choice" but to close at the end of August after it was hit with new rent terms, its founder said.

The Core Skate Hereford, based at the Foley Trading Estate, was set up 12 years ago by Matt Bushkes, who described the decision as "incredibly sad".

He said the rink been given a new rental price in February but revised terms were then sent out again in June, which were "wildly higher" than he was expecting.

"On average it was going to cost about an extra £800 per month just for this year alone." The BBC contacted the rink's landlord but they declined to comment.

Ellie Drennan-Shoti, a volunteer at the rink, said it was a "massive shame".

"[This building] means a lot to me, because this was my first job ever, volunteering and then doing to parties and the skate camps.

"Also I've made lots of friends here."

She added: "I'm really upset about it because there's nowhere else for you to skate around here.

"This was also the cheapest place that you could skate."

But despite the set back, Bushkes insists the rink is "not dead yet".

"We are absolutely keen to keep roller skating and keep community use within the county," he said.

"Places are shrinking left, right and centre, and there are places closing.

"There are also less activities to do for families and for children, and for all demographics and the wider community.

"I think the universe is going to open up and hopefully this is going to have a redemption story."

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