After playing host to a plethora of low-slung-trousered skater boys over the last 30 years, the Southbank Skate Park is now looking set to close.

Located underneath the Queen Elizabeth Hall on the Thames in London, the UK’s busiest skate park has been threatened with closure for the last few years, but this time the grumps at the council mean business.

Part of the South Bank Centre known as the under-croft, has been used by the skateboard community since the early 70s. It was originally an architectual dead-spot which has become the home of British skateboarding. The size of the under-croft has been reduced in recent years and was supposed to be returned to original size. This now seems unlikely and the future of the whole space is completely unsure at present. One part of the South Bank Centre has already been turned into shops looking out over the river and rumour has it the rest is sure to follow.

In the same week London mayor Ken Livingstone announced he’d like to make skateboarding an Olympic sport, it seems one of the capital’s best skate spots will no longer be welcoming riders from all over the UK to ride its famous banks.

However, the four-wheeled fans are fighting back by launching a petition and inviting skateboarders to sign up to preserve the Southbank Skate Park.

Join forces with the British skateboarding community to save the park by signing the petition.

The film Save Southbank has been made in response to the uncertain future of the South Bank. The movie will premiere at the Prince Charles Cinema, 7 Leicester Place (Leicester Square tube) on the 7th of February 2008 at 7.45pm. Entry is free, but you must get a ticket from Slam City Skates. No tickets will be given out on the evening. Head over to: Slam City Skates, 16 Neals Yard, W2CH 9DP (020 7240 0928) to secure your spot.