Empire Skatepark – mainstay of the Colchester skate scene, the park responsible for the upbringing of our most recent Haunts recipient and all around community asset and rad place to be – found out last week that they were being kicked out after a change in landlord.
It would be grim to see a skater owned park which has done so much for the local scene to be closed down without a second thought, but hopefully things will work out – in the meantime, hit the image below to sign your petition and show your support! Full statement from Harry and Lew below…
“We are sorry to announce that Empire is now closed.
A couple of months ago at the final stage of completing a new lease our landlords changed hands, leaving us floating without one until now. We’ve been keeping up with all payments but heard very little from them. Thursday morning by changing our locks and taping a notice on the door, they let us know that they want us out in the next 12 days. We’ve only been allowed in once today to remove our stock and any valuables. Its come as a real shock to us all and been a crazy 24 hours. We’ve heard the parks rent is worth nearly 3 times what our original lease had us paying, so guess they have a new tenant.
Its not quite sunken in yet, but we have to say its been our pleasure running the park for the past 5 years, and we are truly gutted to see the journey come to a end.
We would like to thank all our customers, volunteers, friends and family that have all made the place what it was.
We will keep you updated as we hear more.
Lewis and Harry”
