A FAMILY-RUN skating rink which celebrated its 30th birthday in lockdown faces closure unless it receives public support.

The owners of Colchester’s Rollerworld say the business loses more than £5,000 for every week it remains closed, taking in rent payments and overhead costs.

Since March 2020, the popular attraction has spent seven months with its doors firmly shut to customers.

General manager Karl Zabroski has been baking and selling cakes, with the proceeds going towards the rink’s survival.

He said: “This has seen overwhelming support and uptake, to the point I can no longer keep up with demand working from my kitchen at home.

“I have spoken to appliances company, Express Appliances, who are located just around the back of Rollerworld and they are very kindly going to loan me two ovens.

“I am now in the process of turning an unused room in Rollerworld into a suitable kitchen.”

Karl added: “On a personal level, Rollerworld is so close to my heart.

“I have been there for 12 years.

“Fresh out of school I got a job as a skate steward at Rollerbury, in Bury St Edmunds.

“When it closed, I saw firsthand the devastation that caused in the community to teenagers and families.

“Places like Rollerworld are quite key, as there aren’t many places like this for teenagers to go.

“Colchester has its zoo but even more so in today’s world when kids are spending more and more time inside using screens, we need things for them to do.”

Owners Jason and Anne Khan say any donations will go towards fixed overheads for the near future, including rent, utilities, building upkeep, stock replacement and staff costs not covered by furlough.

The couple said: “If we close, Rollerworld will close forever and Colchester, the UK and Europe will not see a facility like this again.

“This makes us so sad, as we have fought so hard to keep it open throughout these terrible times, but we are now rapidly running out of funds.”

To donate, search for Rollerworld on crowdfunder.co.uk.