THE owners of a beloved roller-skating rink which will shut next month unless a last minute deal can be struck say they are still "holding out hope."

Rollerworld, a staple of Colchester for 32 years, is currently poised to shut down for good on November 30, its owners Anne and Jason Khan have confirmed.

The couple, who have run the legendary venue since November 2018, say landlords Petchey Holdings want to increase the rent on the building to £250,000 per year.

Anne and Jason initially put forward a counter offer of more than £200,000, but say it was rejected before they took if off the negotiating table.

Gazette: NewsquestNewsquest (Image: Newsquest)

It has now come to light the Rollerworld property was recently made an asset of community value by Colchester Council.

This means residents could technically club together and purchase the historic site, but only if Petchey Holdings decided to put it on the market.

Bosses at the council said they made the move because Rollerworld “furthers the social wellbeing and interests of the community and has done so for many years.”

But devastated Anne said: “The council got the ACV put through really quickly and were really good with it, but I don’t think it will help us at all.

“It just tells the landlords the community want Rollerworld to stay, but I don’t think they would let us buy it – it is not something I think they would want to do.

“The rent offer would mean the business would not be viable - we would have to put an extra £5 on the ticket price and then Rollerworld would no longer be for everyone.”

Earlier this week Rollerworld held a ‘free skate’ evening in a bid to garner support, which attracted more than 500 guests but proved an emotional evening.

 

“I have had children come in heartbroken and crying because they do not want Rollerworld to close,” added Jane.

“It has been hard telling everyone we might not be about soon but the support we have had through this has been phenomenal.

“We still hold out a bit of hope something might happen and we are keeping everything crossed, but if not, then we will lose everything.”

Bosses at Petchey Holdings previously told the Gazette they had been in negotiations with Rollerworld for more than two years.

They also said they had remained open for negotiations and previously offered terms for a new lease which they consider to be “below the market rate.”