Roller Derby Team Faces Eviction from Longtime London Home
Bridge Park closure is putting the future of one of London’s roller derby teams at risk. Brent Council has approved plans to shut the Stonebridge-based community hub, which has hosted London Roller Derby for two decades. With the final decision awaiting government sign-off, skaters could soon be left without a training home.
Bridge Park has long stood as a community hub in Stonebridge, and was once hailed as the largest Black-led community enterprise in Europe. Today, it still hosts a range of community activities, with the London Roller Derby team among its longest-running tenants. The team trains twice a week, preparing for high-level matches and international events, including the upcoming Roller Derby World Cup.
The proposed redevelopment of the site forms part of a £600 million investment scheme to regenerate the area. Plans include new housing, a hotel, a park, and a modern leisure facility. However, the new leisure centre won’t be ready until 2030, and in the meantime, there’s no confirmed replacement venue for the skaters or other user groups.
Council officials say the building has reached a point where continued operation is no longer financially or structurally viable. They cited a funding gap of almost £500,000 last year and highlighted what they described as a high risk of equipment failure. Councillor Neil Nerva, Brent’s cabinet member for leisure, said even attempting to keep the building open would come with considerable risk and likely poor value.
Still, the closure has drawn concern from those who view Bridge Park as more than just bricks and mortar. Campaigners from the Harlesden People’s Community Council (HPCC) have been actively working to preserve the centre. They argue that the site remains a vital part of local identity, history, and everyday life, especially for groups like the roller derby team that rely on its space.
Speaking at a recent council cabinet meeting, a team member known by her derby name “Vengeance” passionately defended their home track: “Until you shut the doors, we are going to be training our hearts out in Bridge Park,” she said.
Historic England is currently reviewing a request to recognise the building’s cultural and historical value. A final decision is expected in the summer. In the meantime, the council has said it will work with the roller derby team and others to help them secure a new venue. But with limited availability across London and rising costs of space, relocating is unlikely to be straightforward.
As redevelopment schemes pick up pace across the capital, stories like this raise familiar questions: how do we protect the local institutions that shape communities while meeting the pressure for change? For now, Bridge Park’s fate hangs in the balance and so does the future of a team that’s rolled with it for 20 years.
Historic England is now reviewing the site’s significance, and you can explore the national register of listed places via their official database.
For more updates on community sport, local redevelopment, and what’s happening across London boroughs, visit EyeOnLondon. We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments.
[Image Credit | Getty Images]
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