Bognor skatepark to close for Rox weekend

Organisers of the two-day annual music and arts event have earmarked the popular Rock Gardens site as the location for their second stage.

They also want to site craft stalls in five areas around the skatepark's boundary with Aldwick Road and the Rock Gardens flats next door.

An art show is envisaged for the adjoining grassed area which leads on to the seafront.

The possible use of the Rock Gardens is contained in the licence application to Arun District Council to hold Rox on August 2 and 3.

One of the festival's founders, Steve Goodheart, said: "We would like to invite the guys who use the skatepark to join us as volunteers for Rox.

"It's difficult for us to contact them because there is no organised group there but they can contact us on 01243 863769, [email protected] or through our website."

He continued: "We also want to reassure the residents of the Rock Gardens flats that the activities that will be taking place at the skatepark during Rox will be of a community nature.

"There will be workshops, craft stalls and a small stage and everything will be closed on the skatepark at 7pm on both days."

Using the area for Rox would return it temporarily to the creative heyday of the Esplanade Theatre which stood on the site between 1948 and the early 1980s. The grassed area next to the skatepark, in particular, was an underused asset, added Mr Goodheart. The skatepark is opposite the intended main location for Rox 2008 at the Royal Norfolk Hotel on the opposite side of Aldwick Road.

This has been settled upon after talks with the police.

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