WHERE will all the Goths go now?That's the question that staff at Christchurch Park have been left asking after the meeting place for the self-proclaimed Goths bit the dust as part of the redevelopment of Ipswich's most popular open space.

By Paul Geater

WHERE will all the Goths go now?

That's the question that staff at Christchurch Park have been left asking after the meeting place for the self-proclaimed Goths bit the dust as part of the redevelopment of Ipswich's most popular open space.

The 1970s-built toilet block near the Bolton Lane entrance to the park is being demolished to make way for a new education and visitor centre at the site.

And it seems that only the group of teenagers who have adopted the ugly building as an unofficial meeting place over the last few years - will be sorry to see it go.

A plaintiff message has been scrawled on one of the walls: “Please don't knock down our home, Thank you!”

But despite the polite tone, the demolition team moved in yesterday to flatten the building.

Park manager Sam Pollard was delighted to see the action - and was confident it would meet with the approval of most park users.

He said: “When the new centre is built here it will be much better than these - and all the comments we have had are very positive.

“I know the Goths will be disappointed to lose their meeting place, but I'm afraid we can't please everyone with this.”

Borough leisure spokeswoman Judy Terry said: "We are very excited by these latest stages in the improvement of Christchurch Park.

“We are fortunate to have such a beautiful park so close to the town centre and these new facilities will make it even better for residents and visitors alike."

The site should be cleared by the end of tomorrow , allowing building work for the new centre to start later this month.

The new education/visitor centre - which will include public toilets, an education room, and a reception area with leaflets and souvenirs on sale - is due to open towards the end of August.