A CHARITY which specialises in helping youngsters has distanced itself from a decision to make a skatepark homeless.

Empire Skatepark, used by children and adults and based in Eastgates, Colchester, closed unexpectedly after the landlord allegedly found a new tenant for the premises.

The building which housed the park is owned by Petchey Holdings - known to be the commercial property arm of the Jack Petchey Foundation, which recognises the achievements of young people.

In a statement, it said: “The Jack Petchey Foundation is a charitable foundation.

“We are a separate legal entity to Petchey Holdings and we do not own any properties or play any part in decisions made by Petchey Holdings.

“Our mission is to inspire young people to achieve and to this end we give grants to youth organisations and state secondary schools who are registered charities or not for profit organisations.

“We are unable to give grants or invest in for profit companies or business ventures such as the skatepark.”

The statement added: “Petchey Holdings make all decisions about the properties they own.”