A new roller rink is opening next month on the top deck of the i360.
The seafront attraction is installing a specially designed roller floor on one side of the deck, with a colourful mural for skaters and people travelling in the pod.
The open-air rink is due to open on Saturday 22 July, with an official opening scheduled for Tuesday 1 August.
The rink, on the same level as the upper promenade, will be a permanent new fixture.
The floor has been designed and is being painted by Brighton visual artist, illustrator and mural painter Amber Elise.
She said: “I have a great design in mind that I believe will capture the essence of the skate culture and the energy of Brighton.
“I’m looking forward to embracing the challenge and bringing this vision to life, immersing the skaters and visitors in a world of creativity and inspiration.”
Roller skating in Brighton has a long history dating back to the 19th century, when an outdoor roller rink was built near the Palace Pier and Aquarium in 1876.
In the 1950s, another roller rink emerged at the Peter Pan play area in Kemp Town and there are also plans for a rink as part of the new Kingsway to the Sea project west of Hove Lawns.
Recently, the city’s roller skaters have been campaigning for a new rink on Brighton seafront.
One of the campaigners, Kris Ward, a former ice skater from Brighton, said: “Our skating community began with a small group of 12 skaters back in 2010 called Brighton Skate.
“Our skating community has grown to over 3,000 members which shows its popularity.
“Brighton Skate is also linked to communities in Spain and the USA and has had positive effects in surrounding towns and cities to Brighton so it will be a fantastic addition to our city.
“My vision for a roller rink goes beyond recreational value. I see it as a space that fosters inclusivity, creates lasting memories and brings people together.
“Roller skating has a unique way of uniting individuals of all ages and backgrounds. It promotes an active lifestyle and provides a platform for shared experiences.
“I cannot wait to see families, friends and roller-skating enthusiasts coming together at the new rink, forging connections and making new friends.”
An i360 spokesperson said: “We are thrilled to bring the joy of roller skating back to Brighton’s iconic seafront. Our aim is to create a fun and inclusive space where families, friends and roller-skating enthusiasts can come together to enjoy this timeless activity in a vibrant setting.”
To cater to all skaters’ needs, the roller rink will offer a range of services, including skate rentals, lessons, and private party bookings. For those who already own their own skates, a reduced entrance price will be offered.
Prices are:
Skate only – £6.50
Skate and skate hire – £9.50
Member skate only – £5.20
Member skate and skate hire – £8.70
If you are making an open air roller rink don’t you think it should be free to those who own a pair of skates already, at the very least. Then of course have the option to hire a pair of skates for those who don’t own any. Painting part of the floor then making people pay to skate on it is quite ridiculous. The people of brighton have been waiting for an actual space to skate but now making people pay to skate on painted pavement is stupid. It’s basically saying you have to pay to skate at the level skate park when it is a public space
Exactly what my point was , Brighton’s been awaiting a rink or outside space , the king Alfred site proposal is dragging its heels and surprise surprise they’re fundings been cut , after plans giving the go ahead . Now we are offered to pay to skate the in the one the very public spaces , which has been used by skaters for over a century and still is . Even with our own equipment. Upkeep of a painted part of concrete seems somewhat pricey in this instance , I suppose someone’s cashing in on the lack of skating space available , shame it’s not offering more than what we already have access for free 🙄
Just below the i360 there is smooth ground which people skate on already so why would anyone want to pay for a painted part of pavement ?! It doesn’t make any sense
I completely agree with Courtney, it’s absolutely atrocious having to pay for a painted payment, its not as if the area is enclosed it’s open?
The prices seem quite extortionate as I’m assuming you’d only have a limited time an hour tops maybe ?
If this is the case don’t you think people would be skating on the pavement that’s been smoothed out already where its free of charge no time limit.
I think re consider this launch
The I360 fiasco seems to be clutching at ever-pathetic straws.
Spot on!
I agree with with the first commenter. Why would I pay to skate outside. £6.50 to do what I normally do for free. All we wanted was a flat surface dedicated to roller skateing that was fairly central. I wasn’t expecting to be charged for it.
Your are have a laugh .
You should use it as a council tip .
Then it a be useful . An then you can put the 360 in it bit by bit . 🤔
Of course they are going to charge for it. How else can they start affording to repay the £40+ million they owe BHC?
This might be more popular than the i360 itself
This is odd. Do skateboarders have to pay to use skate parks? No! Why can’t rollerskaters be given a free flat smooth surface?
People will moan that the i360 is not earning enough to pay its debts and then moan when it tries something different.
Best of luck to the i360 with this, I hope it’s successful.
Someone has to pay the artists and staff…
Let’s face the harsh reality here. The i360 is losing huge amounts of tax payers money, and from my understanding we’re locked into it. So it needs to bring in revenue somehow. It would be lovely if it was free. But so would everything. I think this is a great idea. If you don’t want to pay to use it, you can just skate down the seafront.
As a skater I would prefer a proper indoor rink so winter does not bring it all to a halt. Happy to pay to skate if it’s value.
This is exactly what I was thinking. If it was an indoor rink I would 100% be behind it but look at it, it’s a tiny square which is barely going to be used because of our weather. It’s a joke!
If we get enough people clubbing together and crowdsource, an indoor rink in the Brighton area is not that wild an idea.