Rotherham’s Simply Skate Arena has been forced to close after 20 years of business due to being unable to secure a new lease.

This year should have been the business’ 20th Anniversary celebrations, but the business instead found itself having to close it’s doors instead of reopening in May 2021.

In a statement made on Facebook, Simply Skate Arena said: “We are absolutely devastated that we cannot continue our business and that we will just become another sad statistic of this awful pandemic.

“We would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for your continued custom, loyalty and support over the years. We’ve had many happy times at the rink and we will be ever grateful for these memories.”

The popular skating arena provided skate sessions for the public for families and children, as well as all-age skates. They also provided inline hockey lessons.

Elena McKinney, a 19 year-old student from Rotherham said: “Seeing Simply Skate is shutting is heartbreaking, it’s like a piece of my childhood was shut down.

“I had my 12th birthday party there and all the staff were so friendly. It was so fun and kids now will definitely be missing out.

“I made so many friends there and it’s such a shame to see it go.”