A Swindon skate park is closing down after more than a decade of keeping young people in the community entertained and active.

The ATB Skate Shop’s owners Diana and Stuart Kirk opened the facility next to their scooter and skateboarding supplies store in the Hawksworth Trading Estate 11 years ago.

But with business rate costs set to soar next year and the cost of required repairs totalling around £200,000, it is no longer financially feasible for the couple to keep the indoor leisure space open.

Swindon Advertiser: The ATB Shop and Skate Warehouse roof needs work done to repair itThe ATB Shop and Skate Warehouse roof needs work done to repair it (Image: Dave Cox)

The Skate Warehouse will have a last hurrah this weekend and the shop will remain on-site with much of its stock on sale until around mid-November, when it will then be shut and relocated elsewhere at a location yet to be determined.

The Kirks described their decision to open the skate park as “a massive leap of faith” and recalled that they were advised against doing so due to the time and money it would take to make it a success.

But, after spending months getting the building ready and investing tens of thousands of pounds into the fixtures and equipment, they opened it in September 2012.

Their efforts were rewarded as the skate shop became a popular community hub that regularly attracted happy youngsters, hosted big competitions and team events, and even kept its team employed during the coronavirus pandemic.

Diana’s parents Peter and Margaret ran the café, built scooters in the workshop, provided financial support, and managed the store while their daughter and son-in-law went on holiday

Stuart’s parents Jose and Ray oversaw the accounts and helped with the beginnings of the ATB Shop businesses in 2000.

Diana thanked them and all the staff who have worked there over the years, including long-serving members Harry Calvert and Oli Little and Ursula Krenik.

She added: “We’ve had the most amazing staff and have been so fortunate to have these people who’ve felt more like family than employees come and work for us.

"Thanks to every parent who has helped, or offered to help, and taken it upon themselves to provide love and acts of kindness to us.

"We all have tried to make magical memories for you all to look back on.

"We’ve had so many massive ups and incredible highs that have felt almost euphoric. There's been some massive lows, tears, and huge amounts of loss and pain.

"This is the right time to say farewell and thanks. It’s a heartbreaking decision, and one that we’ve not taken lightly."

International skateboarders and scooter riders, and celebrities like Leave the Light On singer Tom Walker, have spent time there over the years.

Regular customers and visitors have complimented the team and expressed interest in snapping up the skate park, so this might not be the end of the road for the facility.

A mural installed in memory of one customer's late father will be removed and given to that customer so that it can be re-installed at his own skate park in Wolverhampton.

Diana added: "We have had the best time, but now is the right moment to start a new chapter.

"We've given 11 years of our lives, it's taken everything we've had, we've held free outdoor events and given away so many vouchers because we wanted to give something back to the community.

"Maybe someone will buy the skate park and move it somewhere else, you never know.

"You would have to have a real passion for skateboarding and scootering to run something like this."

To book a space at the skate park before it shuts, visit www.atbshop.co.uk/skatepark