Petition to save Lewes Skatehouse

More than 2,900 people have signed a petition calling on Lewes District Council to find and fund a new home for the Skatehouse after consent was given to redevelop its current spot in the Phoenix Estate.
By The Newsroom
Published 29th Jan 2016, 09:02 BST
Updated 29th Jan 2016, 09:04 BST

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Lewes Skatehouse SUS-160126-111200001Lewes Skatehouse SUS-160126-111200001
Lewes Skatehouse SUS-160126-111200001

The petition, set up by Claire Heath earlier this month, states: “The Phoenix industrial estate in Lewes is home to a fantastic indoor skate park, used by more than 1,000 young, and not-so-young people every month. It is run by a team of local volunteers who are passionate about skating, and keeping it accessible to all who want to be part of it.

“Skatehouse is a community interest company. Run as a non-profit organisation who’s primary aims are to offer safe, supervised community space for all wheeled sports, to cater for a hub of enterprise, learning and creativity through workshops and to encourage fitness and self improvement

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“Skatehouse is a safe place. Staff are first aid trained and DBS checked. This staffing structure is what separates us from an outdoor skate space. It makes us able to offer parents peace of mind along with tailored skate lessons and run specific sessions such our ‘Kids Club’ and ‘Rad Dads’ clubs. Additionally, we have run art, mosaic and graffiti workshops all for a minimal donation of a few pounds.

“Creating a place young and old people want to be in together, a place that is inclusive, safe and cool is a hard thing to do. We have worked very hard at finding that balance and it would be real shame to loose that expertise.

“This park is a massive part of the culture of Lewes and something that we can’t afford to loose. This petition is about showing the developers how valued Skatehouse is.”

The petition can be found online at www.change.org/p/lewes-district-council-save-skatehouse.

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A Lewes District Council spokesperson said: “We are aware of the petition and look forward to receiving it.

“When it is received, we will make arrangements to consider it at full council. Once we are in receipt of the petition, officers will prepare a report for councillors to consider, but we cannot second guess what councillors may or may not decide when they come to debate the matter.”

A spokesperson from Santon North Street, joint applicants for the North Street Quarter, said: “The Skatehouse was only ever temporary but the Malling Fields skatepark will be renovated as part of the redevelopment of the North Street Quarter.”

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Related topics:PetitionLewes District Council