THE skateboarding community has been rocked by the news a popular skatepark has closed its doors.

The Empire Skatepark, which is based on Global Park, Colchester, closed its doors for the final time on Friday after five years.

A post on the park’s Facebook page from owners Lewis and Harry announced the news yesterday evening.

It said: “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.

“It’s 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.

One skateboard Henry Webster, 16, and from Birch, said the park was a massive loss to the whole community.

He said: “Empire has been a second home to a huge number of kids and teens in Colchester, it has always been a safe place and the fact there is such a close knit community down there, just adds to how special the place really is.

“A lot of people including parents and teenagers will be very sad to see it close.

“Harry and Lewis the owners, make everyone feel welcome down there.”

Emma Shannon-Munday, 45, and from Hornbeam Close, said her family were devastated by the news.

She said: “Our family spend at least 3 sessions a week at Empire, my son also has a scooter lesson.

“My Husband has just taken up skateboarding again, after a 20 year absence, because of the encouragement from Lewis and Harry.

“Empire is an amazing, safe, supportive, friendly 'family' and without it so many children and young adults are left with nowhere safe to entertain themselves.

“When we heard the news tears were shed.”

A petition calling for Colchester Council to save the park has now reached over 1,000 signatures in less than a day.

Visit: http://bit.ly/2iVW8O8.

More to follow....