THE owners of a historic roller-skating rink which is set to close for good tonight say they have agreed to match their landlord's rent demand in a last ditch attempt to save it.

Rollerworld, in Moorside, will shut down after being a staple of the city for a staggering 32 years, following one final farewell tonight.

The news of the pending closure was unveiled earlier this year and sent shockwaves through the community in Colchester and also further afield.

In a show of solidarity with venue owners Jason and Anne Khan, hundreds of skaters will take to the hardwood flooring tonight for one final time, revelling in nostalgia.

Gazette:

Jason and Anne, who have been in charge of Rollerworld since November 2018, decided to close the business after being priced out by their landlord.

Petchey Holdings is understood to be increasing the rent on the building from £100,000 per year to £250,000, which the couple initially refused to pay.

Bosses at the company previously told the Gazette they considered the terms for the new lease to be “below the market rate.”

In an exclusive interview with the Gazette, however, Anne has now revealed they are willing to accept the quarter of a million pound asking fee in order to prevent Rollerworld from closing.

Anne said: “We are just waiting for their answer now.

"We will be keeping our fingers crossed but we do not do hope anymore because the down from hope is far too low and we get lower every time.

"We have done this because of the community and because everybody wants us to save Rollerworld.

"This is not about us anymore, this is about everyone else."

Tonight's moving send-off comes just days after more than 1,500 people - believed to be the highest one-day attendance in the business’ history – visited Rollerworld.

Anne is now seriously concerned about the impact the closure of Rollerworld will have on the community and youngsters in the area.

She added: “Ten year olds come up to me and ask why we are closing, but how do you explain to someone that young the situation?

"There has been tears and upset and it has been so difficult trying to deal with people's emotions.

"The impact is going to be massive and it will send a ripple through Colchester. 

"Where are the teenagers going to go? They are accepted here and can express themselves in their own way."

Petchey Holdings was contacted for comment.