Rink closes to rollerskaters amid new site search

Rebecca McDowell Three people in black coats standing outside a purple building which says "The Rec Rink" and and features a large picture of a purple roller skate.Rebecca McDowell
The Rec Ring's final rollerskating session was on 2 November

A rink has had its final rollerskating session as it prepares for the Christmas period and looks for a new site.

The Rec Rink in Horsham opened for the final time to rollerskaters on Saturday.

It will operate as an ice rink between 15 November and 5 January before it closes for good and owner Rebeca McDowell is already tackling the "incredibly difficult" search for a new site.

Ahead of the closure, the owner told BBC Radio Sussex: "It will be a really sad occasion but we have been so lucky over the past two years running the roller skating rink, we have met so many of the community."

'We are desperately sad'

The Rec Rink started as an ice rink in 2021 before becoming a roller rink the following year.

Ms McDowell said it had to move as Horsham District Council had found a new tenant.

A spokesperson from The Rec Rink said: "It goes without saying that we are desperately sad that the roller rink is losing its home and we will no longer be able to provide you with this unique space that so many have come to love like a second home."

The council said: "We can confirm that the roller rink is closing from 3 November."

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