“OMG I tried it and I love it! Now where do I buy roller skates?” We hear and see these stories frequently across social media platforms. Here is our run down of small businesses across the UK. By choosing independents, you ensure that the community is being reinvested into. Ultimately, more skaters means more skating – something that benefits everyone to manage their mental and physical wellness.
We especially encourage you to support female-skater founded, owned and run skate shops first!
Bricks and Mortar Shops
Hive Skate Hub, Manchester
With everything from roller derby to ramps, with a dose of recreational skating thrown in, Hive Skate Hub are great to ask if you are looking for advice. They have a huge TV in their shop screening latest roller derby games – both Faye and Kerrie are experienced roller derby skaters – to ramp tricks.
You are welcome to stop by for a catch up or just hangout at their shop!
Double Threat Skates, London
Established in 2013 to make roller derby equipment available to try on more easily, DTS serve roller derby leagues around the country. Their expertise of fitting high level derby equipment is second to none as their owners and staff are all coaches and players with London Roller Derby. They now also stock a wide range of roller skates for many other disciplines, including ramps and dance.
Bridgend Cycle Centre, Wales
The Roller Derby and Roller Skating part of the shop is run by Natalie, aka Enemy of Tiger Bay Brawlers roller derby team. Natalie has a vast amount of knowledge and experience with helping skaters choose the right products for all skating disciplines.
The shop also stocks bikes, scooters and inline skates.
Momma Trucker Skates, Exeter
You will find Kate or her family supporting roller derby games, as she often travels to take Momma Truckers on the road. This is great as many skaters do not have access to a knowledgeable skate shop.
Momma Truckers stock a wide range of roller skates and equipment to suit many disciplines of roller skating, as well as offering a serviced second hand roller skate option. Momma Truckers now also stock skateboards and parts.
5th Blocker, Glasgow
Owned and operated by Shona, a retired roller derby skater from Glasgow Roller Derby, 5th Blocker was established in 2011 to allow roller derby skaters in the UK access to try on and order specialist equipment without having to import it all from the USA.
While still a roller derby shop at heart, it has now adapted to include more ramp, park, artistic and leisure skating.
Slapshot Skates, London
Founded in 2000, Slapshot has grown to become a worldwide retailer of hockey, roller derby and recreational roller skate equipment. Whether you are a newcomer or a professional player, or simply interested in recreational skating, Slapshot offer a great range of skates and equipment with a great service.
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Slick Willies, London
Slick Willie’s is London’s original skate store established in 1970, so there’s nothing that they don’t know about skating! We have been at the forefront of the skating market for over 40 years now, and our success is a direct result of our skating knowledge and expertise. Whether you’re a professional, or just starting out, you can join our little community and get involved in all the wild excitement that the world of skating provides! They stock skateboards, longboards, inline and roller skates.
Oli’s Skate Shop, Dorset
Specialising in Bauer skates and conversions, Oli’s stocks a range of skateboards, scooters, inline and quad roller skates. Their family run business was established in 2012, when they also established a roller disco locally. Having built and customised skates since the 80’s, the founders know what they love and have built up great knowledge of the products they stock.
Alchemyst Skate Shop, Sowerby Bridge
Specialising in aggressive inline skates, the passionate skaters running Alchemyst are doing their best to offer high quality boots, frames, wheels and liners that are tricky to get hold of in the UK. Stocking well known inline brands including Roces, Them Skates, Razors and USD, whether you are after a complete skate or want some advice, Alchemyst will help you out!
All the above shops have online shops too, but there are also skate shops that operate online only – here’s our pick of who to support.
Online only
Rollaboots Custom Skates, Exeter
Founded to build custom Vans roller skate set-ups, Maddie’s shop has expanded to include more conversions of shoes to skates, as well as now stocking familiar roller skate brands. A ramp skater herself, if you are interested in shredding the park, then check out the items she has to support that, from wheels to slide blocks.
Visit Rollaboots Custom Skates here
Did we miss out your favourite independent skate shop? Drop a comment below to give them a shout out!
