Skatepark closes over health and safety concerns

A skatepark has closed until further notice because of health and safety concerns, with £1.5m of repair work needed to tackle water ingress and structural issues.

Hastings Borough Council said The Source Park skatepark had closed immediately and a Battle of Hastings BMX event, due to take place in September, had been postponed until 2027.

Businesses in the courtyard are still open as usual and the closure only affects the skatepark, a council spokesperson said, adding: "We are working with our tenants to ensure minimal disruption."

The Foreshore Trust has allocated £1.5m for work to be carried out and a process to find a contractor will begin later this summer, the spokesperson added.

The council said the work would prevent water ingress and include repairs to concrete structures around the skatepark, courtyard and promenade.

The first phase of work should be completed in 2027, with further work planned in coming years.

A council spokesperson said: "Safeguarding this key asset is a priority for the trust and it is unfortunate that the work needed means the park needs to close for a period of time.

"We apologise that the closure has come at such short notice, this is due to health and safety concerns at the park that meant it was necessary to close immediately."

The skatepark opened in 2016 inside a former Victorian swimming baths complex beneath Hastings promenade following a £1.2m redevelopment.

Source Park's website describes the facility as the world's largest underground skatepark, housing two skateparks and a skateboard shop, with an open courtyard packed with restaurants, bars and coffee shops.

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