Pair's £50,000 skatepark plan hope

Two businessmen aim to invest £50,000 in an indoor skatepark for youngsters in Dudley borough. Antony Provan and Mark Hulme say it will fill a vital need.

It would help fill the gap created by the closure of Stourbridge's skatepark in 2007, they say, and would be a safe place for thousands of youngsters to play.

The businessmen, who run successful internet companies, will submit plans to Dudley Council to set up the skatepark in an empty warehouse in Little Cottage Street, Brierley Hill.

They hope to have the park up and running by June in time for the school holidays.

"When the Stourbridge skate park closed 5,000 members were left with nowhere to go," said Mr Provan, aged 34.

"In Brierley Hill, I have seen the leisure centre and bowling alley disappear and youth clubs shut their doors.

"There is nothing for young people to do which results in them hanging around Merry Hill getting in to trouble. There is a real need for this kind of facility."

Mr Provan said the indoor park would be open to skate boarders and BMX bikers aged predominantly between 12 and 20.

The current nearest indoor facility is in Moseley, Birmingham.