CULTURE EDITION
Having celebrated its first anniversary, The Warehouse Indoor Skatepark has firmly established itself as one of Cambridge’s most inclusive community hubs, says Dave Wedderburn ALL ABOARD A rrive at The Warehouse Indoor Skatepark on a Saturday morning and you won’t hear the expected clatter
unoccupied, do you?’ And they said, ‘Oh yeah, we do actually.’” Railpen offered them the building on a ‘meanwhile lease’, allowing Cam Skate to prove their concept. “We are thrilled to support Paul, Joe, James and the entire Cam Skate team in bringing The Warehouse Skatepark to life,” says Matthew Howard, head of property at Railpen. “This partnership highlights Railpen’s long-term commitment to investing in the city and backing projects that deliver meaningful, lasting benefits for local communities.” The result is a park designed for progression. But the real community- building happens in its programming. The schedule features dedicated beginner sessions, after-school clubs (including a bursary programme), lessons for SEND (special educational needs and disabilities) schools, as well as popular female-only and queer skate nights. For James, avoiding gatekeeping is key. “There can be a lot of it in skateboarding. We want to move away from that ‘I suffered, so you should suffer’ mentality.” The focus on building confidence safely has a clear impact. As one parent wrote to the team regarding her son: “It is hard to put into words but thank you so, so much... knowing he was with you, having fun and enjoying the sessions has been such a support for me too. Watching his
of skateboards. Instead the air is filled with the whir of toddlers on balance bikes and scooters, confidently navigating ramps while parents watch, coffee in hand. With pads and skateboards available for all, you might even see a parent or two strap on a helmet to give it a go. This is the essence of The Warehouse: it’s a place where anyone who wants to try belongs. This welcoming atmosphere is the core mission of Cam Skate, the community interest company behind the park. Run by volunteers and led by James Moulang, Joe Lewis and Paul Elbro, the project was born from a DIY skatepark built during Covid-19 lockdown. When that space shut down, it galvanised the community to create something permanent. “We wanted to be the voice of Cambridge skateboarders,” James explains, “which meant creating a public space that accommodated skateboarding, rather than fencing it off.” The Cam Skate team attended a public consultation for the redevelopment of the Beehive Centre, advocating for skate- friendly areas. The property owner Railpen was receptive. “We just chanced it,” James recalls, “and asked, ‘You don’t happen to have any massive warehouses that are going to be
confidence grow on and off the board is a joy. It’s rare to find something so special.” After celebrating its first anniversary in late summer last year, the future is now the focus. With the lease ending in July 2026, the search is on for a permanent home. James’s message to residents remains simple: “We want people to know this is a space for everybody. You don’t need any equipment; we have it all. Just show up.” To find a session or support The Warehouse, visit cam-skate.co.uk ROLL WITH THE PUNCHES The Warehouse started as a DIY skatepark built during Covid-19, before moving into one of Railpen’s properties This is the essence of The Warehouse: it’s a place where anyone who wants to try belongs
CAMBSEDITION.CO.UK FEBRUARY 2026 29
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