A FATHER says he is fighting to save a popular skating rink after the news of its imminent closure left his six-year-old daughter in tears.

Rollerworld’s owners revealed they will permanently shut its doors at the end of November unless its landlord scraps plans for a £150,000 rent increase.

It left young Myla Cobden, six, in floods of tears as she was told she may no longer be able to enjoy the rink with her friends.

The youngster skates up to four times a week and has become “inseparable” from Artistic Roller Skating Club coach Amy Rainbow.

Gazette: Inseperable - Myla Cobden and Amy RainbowInseperable - Myla Cobden and Amy Rainbow (Image: Newsquest)

Dad Thomas said: “We kind of told her about a month ago but it was only last week following the meeting at the rink that it all sunk in.

“She just sat on the stairs crying her eyes out about it. She didn’t know what to do.”

The family from Maldon had only taken up the sport a year ago, but Thomas, 39, said it had quickly become their passion in life.

“It means everything to us,” he said. “It’s what we do every weekend, every Saturday morning and Sunday night.

“It’s been our life for the past year and I would be devastated if we lost it.”

Gazette: Hobby - Thomas Cobden and daughter MylaHobby - Thomas Cobden and daughter Myla (Image: Newsquest)

Jason and Anne Khan, who have run the rink in Eastgates, Colchester, since November 2018, claim landlord Petchey Holdings wants to increase the building’s rent to £250,000 per year.

Last week it was revealed the Rollerworld property was recently made an asset of community value by Colchester Council.

This means residents could club together and purchase the historic site, but only if Petchey Holdings decided to put it on the market.

Gazette: Family - The Khans, including Anne and Jason who own Rollerworld and are fighting for it survivalFamily - The Khans, including Anne and Jason who own Rollerworld and are fighting for it survival (Image: Newsquest)

“It just tells the landlords the community wants Rollerworld to stay, but I don’t think they would let us buy it – it is not something I think they would want to do,” said Anne.

She added: “It has been hard telling everyone we might not be about soon, but the support we have had through this has been phenomenal.”

Bosses at Petchey Holdings previously said they had been in negotiations with Rollerworld for more than two years.