Retroskate's first birthday

FOR the last year they have whizzed their way around Great Yarmouth's new skating arena in surprisingly large numbers.

This weekend Retroskate, based at the town's Marina Centre, will be celebrating its first birthday with its usual fun rink antics.

Since it started, more than 80,000 visitors have enjoyed themselves as they scooted and weaved their way around the �100,000 skate arena off Marine Parade. And some of the success of Retroskate is being put down to roller skating grandparents who can remember Yarmouth's previous skate rink in the nearby Winter Gardens.

Retroskate was set up by Philip and Gaynor Read and championship skater Glenn Wicks and his wife Donna.

Mrs Read, 34, spoke of her surprise at seeing up to 400 people a day take to the rink during school holidays.

She said: “It has just been manic for the last year here. A lot of grandparents are bringing their grandchildren here to try out roller skating as they remember going to the Winter Gardens when they were younger. And a lot of children come here by roller skate and just glide straight in.

“Roller skating is something the whole family can enjoy - it does not matter how old you are.”

Originally Retroskate bought 200 pair pairs of skates from Spain but its growing success now means that it has 600 pairs for hire for �1. Another sign of growth is the possibility of park and ride arrangement with the Yarmouth roadtrain to tackle the lack of parking spaces by the Marina Centre.

It is also the base for local roller hockey players who are looking to form their own team

On Saturday from 11am to 4pm and on Sunday from 11am to 4pm Retroskate will be open with the usual entrance fee of �4 or 12 for a family ticket. On Sunday night, a roller skating session will be held from 7pm to 10pm.

For more information visit www.retroskate.net