Skaters have launched a campaign to save one of London's only indoor skateparks as it faces sudden closure. Barking Sporthouse announced on Tuesday that it will close its skatepark on August 2 and replace it with padel courts.
Campaigner calls skatepark a 'lifeline'
Eleanor Dunlop, who is campaigning to stop the closure, said the skatepark had been a “lifeline” for her, and that its closure would leave her with “nowhere to go”. She launched an online petition earlier this month after hearing from centre management that the skatepark was to close.
Her petition, which now has more than 2,300 signatures, says the park has “national significance” as it is where young Olympic hopefuls can train. Eleanor told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) that, unlike outdoor skateparks, indoor ones can be used year-round. She said women also often feel safer using them, having been harassed and robbed while skating outdoors herself.
Safety and community benefits
Eleanor said: “Skateboarding is so important to me. I have a lot of different health issues and it’s been a lifeline for me personally. I’ve had my bag stolen while skating outdoors, and I’ve been harassed in outdoor parks. When I went to Barking skatepark, I actually felt safe. You meet so many people and build friendships.”
Eleanor added that the closure would also be bad for children in the borough. “Parents say they go to have a safe place for their kids to play and be active,” she said. “These kids love riding their scooters. They’re not interested in padel.”
GLL cites financial losses
GLL, which runs the leisure centre under its brand name Better, said it had made the decision after visitor numbers “fell by 25 per cent” and that the skatepark had made “a financial loss every year”. A spokesperson said GLL had made the decision after “careful consideration of the long-term sustainability of the facility”.
They said: “GLL has run Barking Sporthouse for the past 13 years. During that time, the indoor skate park has operated at a financial loss every year. Despite a range of initiatives designed to increase participation, usage has continued to decline. Between 2024 and 2025, visitor numbers fell by 25 per cent, with the skatepark now averaging fewer than three visits per hour, despite having the capacity to accommodate up to 60 users per hour.”
The spokesperson added that GLL “recognise that the decision will be disappointing for some members of the skateboarding community” but added that there are “nine free outdoor skateparks across Barking and Dagenham”. They also said that GLL is in talks with Barking and Dagenham Council to see if the park’s ramps and equipment can be put to use elsewhere.
Offers of help declined
Eleanor said that GLL had declined offers to help find new users for the park – such as hosting coaching sessions – including from the national skateboarding body Skateboard GB. Instead, she said opening hours were cut and entry fees increased.
Neil Ellis from Skateboard GB told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “[We] had a meeting with the management team at Better Barking last year to provide advice on routes which could be taken to increase the user base, promote the venue to the local skate community and enhance use with events and coaching. To the best of our knowledge none of the recommendations were implemented.”
He added: “More recently we have contacted GLL for an urgent meeting to discuss community consultation and offer to support, but we are yet to receive a response.” GLL declined to comment on how it had responded to offers to help keep the park open.
Council response
A council spokesperson said that, as it doesn’t run the leisure centre, it “has no power to prevent this decision”. They added: “We have been in contact with GLL and sought further information about the review and its implications. We understand GLL is exploring whether the skatepark equipment could be reused elsewhere in the borough, and look forward to hearing more about the options that may be available.”
