Owners close Dovercourt Skating Rink after 5 years

Chris Scutt, officially closed Dovercourt Skating Rink, in Marine Parade, on Monday.

Mr Scutt, who lives in the town, said he and his family decided not to renew the lease at the rink as it was not financially viable to run and there were “constant break-ins”.

Since 2015 the rink has been broken in about nine times.

Mr Scutt said there was even an attempted break-in at the rink three weeks ago.

“It’s just mindless yobs breaking into the rink trying to take items,” he said.

“There’s an £1,000 excess on our insurance and it’s not something we can continue anymore.”

Despite the setbacks caused by vandals, Mr Scutt and his wife, Jenny, say they have thoroughly enjoyed running the rink, and hosting a plethora of events at the facility.

In the past five years they have held reptile encounter days, comic cons, Halloween parties and inflatable days.

Mr Scutt said: “We’ve made some great friends and have seen so many families enjoy the rink and events.

“In the past six months, we have still managed to run socially distanced sessions and events.

“We even held a socially distanced disco.

“We’d like to thank everyone for the support they have given us over the years.”

The ever-popular comic con, which has been held for the past three years at the rink, is still scheduled to by run by Mr Scutt in 2021.

But the event will be held at a different venue which Mr Scutt is trying to secure in the area.

Now the rink is closed, the family said they will continue with their food delivery service business called Fresh to Your Door, which drops off food around the Tendring district.