Could there finally be a next step for the derelict former Planet Ice building, on Ryde seafront?
At Ryde Town Council’s meeting this week, Ryde Mayor, Michael Lilley, told members he was ‘under the impression’ its freeholder, the Isle of Wight Council, had agreed to the transfer of the lease.
An Isle of Wight Council spokesperson said the authority had “confirmed it was happy in principle” with a new leaseholder and was awaiting the completion of legal formalities. It was unable to say anything further, due to the legal proceedings.
Ryde Arena has stood empty since 2016 and the building’s lease was advertised for sale in March 2021, for £7,917 a month.
It first opened in May 1991. Ten years later, Planet Ice took on a 125-year lease.
In 2014, the lease was sold to AEW and the rink continued to host ice hockey and figure skating teams. In 2015, Planet Ice announced it was no longer able to trade and would have to close the rink.
Next to step up was the Ryde Arena Trust community campaign but, due to financial pressures caused by repairs and other factors, AEW repossessed the building in October 2016.
Hopes remained the dispute could be sorted out, but instead, the chillers were turned off, the ice was removed by a bulldozer and the doors closed for the last time.
In October 2018, a ‘link around the rink’ protest was held by the community to mark the two-year closure of the property.
Legal action between the Isle of Wight Council and AEW started in 2018. It was dropped in February 2021, because the Isle of Wight Council said it wanted to prevent further expense to taxpayers. Then councillor Wayne Whittle said the local authority had been advised there was little hope of a positive resolution.
At the time, County Hall said it was not willing to accept proposals to replace the arena with retail.
Meanwhile, plans for a replacement ice rink at Smallbrook look uncertain. Planning permission is slowly running out and only proposals for a tennis court have been submitted.
Four Men Arrested Following Rogue Trader Activities In East Cowes
Rugby Players Set To Scale Great Heights For Teddy
Drug Driving, Domestic Abuse And Stalking Among Arrests Made As Police Target Isle Of Wight Criminals
Work Begins On ‘Monumental’ Mural Project At Historic Columbine Building
More Acts Added To Isle Of Wight Festival Line-Up
St Mary’s Vaccination Hub Gets Ready For Spring Covid-19 Vaccinations
Twenty Isle Of Wight Pubs Under Threat As Stonegate Issues Profit Warning
Fundraiser Launched As Kezi's Kindness Founder Diagnosed With Incurable Cancer
Bon Voyage — White-Tailed Eagle Soars To France
Goddards Brewery Scoops Four Top Industry Awards At International Competition
Briddlesford Road Crash Results In Two Injured
Isle Of Wight MP Extolls Virtues Of Joint Emergency Service Officers For Isle Of Wight
Island Labour Announces Parliamentary Candidates As Quigley Vows To 'Take Fight' To Bob Seely
Can You Help Police To Identify Man Linked To Waitrose Theft?
Ryde Town Council In Crackdown On Dog Fouling
Former Patient Opens New Intensive Care Unit
Isle Of Wight Primary School Place Allocations Announced For September
The Rules Islanders Need To Know For Police And Crime Commissioner Election Postal Voting
Family Pays Tribute To Paul Hart Following Fatal Newport Collision
Teenager Sentenced For Planning Isle Of Wight Festival Terrorist Attack
