TWO borough businessmen are hoping to turn a disused Brierley Hill warehouse into an indoor skate mecca for bored youngsters.

Antony Provan and Mark Hulme have come up with a plan to transform the old Siviter Sports building (unit 3) off Little Cottage Street into a new state-of-the-art skate park for skaters still missing Stourbridge’s closed down facility Ramparts.

They say the building – which has been derelict for two years – is ideal. But they would need to secure a ‘change of use’ from Dudley Council planners before they can progress their ambitious plan as the building is currently designated for warehouse use only.

Antony, aged 34, who has his own website business, said: “This is needed and long overdue for the area, it’s just amazing that all other boroughs have indoor skate parks except Dudley.

“We have found the perfect location which fits all criteria and is within a fantastic infrastructure for local bus routes which would enable kids to get here safely but local planners want to keep the building for warehousing!

“This is absolute madnes when the unit in question has already been on the market for 12 months and the rent has been dropped.

“Brierley Hill has more vacant buildings popping up by the week, and fewer facilities by the year.

“Our Black Country area is screaming out for something like this to get the kids off the streets.

“We have spoken to many councillors and they are more than in favour of this project.

“This would be a travesty if this was used for warehousing yet again – the children of our communities will be missing out. “There are plenty of units on industrial sites that can be used for warehouse facilities.”

Kingswinford councillor Dave Tyler, leader of Dudley’s Liberal Democrat party, is backing the plan.

He said: “This needs everybody’s support. The building’s ideal; it’s in the right place and is easily accessible for the kids.

I’ve been a strong advocate of an indoor skatepark for a long time.”

Antony from Stourbridge and Mark from Brierley Hill say they hope to submit an application to Dudley Council for a ‘change of use’ within the next week.

Anyone wishing to support their idea can sign their online petition at www.theskatepark.co.uk