Cannock skate park in sudden closure

Rampz Skatepark was opened more than two years ago as part of a £80,000 scheme to create an indoor arena.

But the venue which catered for around 1,000 people a month at the Lakeside Plaza in Bridgtown closed its doors this week.

On the park's Facebook group, it said the landlord was to close the park down unless £5,000 was paid by the start of this week. However, the site landlord, Goold Estates said the park operators had given notice to leave in November, but their tenancy was ended this month.

No-one from the park was available for comment yesterday.

A plaque at the park in memory of former Kingsmead Technology College pupil Tom Smith, who died aged 13 from meningitis in 2013, is at the site. It is not known what will happen to it at this stage.

The owners of the popular skate park had previously warned its future was hanging in the balance due to rates. It successfully applied to become a not-for-profit community interest company, as a part of the process of gaining amateur sports club status.

A message posted by Rampz Skatepark on its own Facebook page said they were 'completely gutted and devastated'. The site is owned by Goold Estates, which said: "Goold Estates bought Lakeside business Park in June 2014. From the beginning Rampz Skate Park had difficulty.

"We supported them with extended credit while they restructured the business into a charity. That is how the debt, currently over £7,000, built up in the first place. Given the lack of progress in paying off the debt, and other businesses wanting more space we took the decision to bring an end to the tenancy with Rampz now and to write off all the money owed by Rampz."

Park users have taken to social media to express their disappointment at the closure.

Claire Jones said: "My lad is gonna be gutted as I'm sure lots more will be." Sara Askey also posted on the social networking site: "Got party booked end of July."