Skatepark lease will not be renewed (From Stourbridge News)

Skatepark lease will not be renewed

2:12pm Tuesday 23rd January 2007 in Local By Bev Holder

STOURBRIDGE youngsters battling to save the town's skate park have been dealt another blow after council bosses announced the lease for Ramparts would not be renewed.

Dudley Council's director of law and property officer John Polychronakis told last night's (Monday's) Stourbridge Area Committee meeting the lease for the Bell Street carpark basement expires in July and there are no plans to renew it - not least because of redevelopments earmarked for the area.

The news, which Ramparts owner Lois Bramall says she only heard about after the meeting, is a bitter disappointment for youngsters campaigning to save the debt-ridden skate park.

After receiving a 1,500-name petition backing the park - Councillor Pat Martin, Dudley's cabinet member for law and property, and Mr Polychronakis told the packed meeting at Redhill School that Ramparts had been given as much leeway as possible to pay back the £50,000 rent that is owed.

Cllr Martin said: "If this was another business in that centre we would have done something about it a long time ago, but because it was a skateboard park we were indulgent. Perhaps we were wrong."

Skaters and BMX bikers have launched a Save Our Skatepark campaign to try and raise the rent money, but now with little possibility of keeping the park going at its current site - skaters, bikers and Mrs Bramall are in a spin over what to do next.

Lois said: "Unless somebody comes and bails us out the kids are going to lose their skatepark and I'm going to lose my home."

Skate Aid gigs organised to help boost the campaign still look set to go ahead.

Stourbridge band Midas are due to play at the park on Saturday February 3, and Groove Sadistic, Kill Johnny Rock Star and Orpheus have organised an all-day event including skate competitions and demonstrations for Saturday February 17.

Anyone wishing to help can call 01384 345800 or go to www.skateramparts.co.uk