A new lease of life could soon be injected into the former Ryde Arena ice rink at Ryde Esplanade, with confirmation that the Isle of Wight Council has agreed to the transfer of the lease.
At Ryde Town Council’s meeting last week, Mayor Michael Lilley told members he was ‘under the impression’ that Ryde Arena’s freeholder, the Isle of Wight Council, has agreed to the transfer of the lease.
An Isle of Wight Council spokesperson has said the authority is “happy in principle” with a new leaseholder and is now awaiting the completion of legal formalities. The local authority has been unable to say anything further, due to the legal proceedings.
Ryde Arena first opened in May 1991 and 10 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 2-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.
The building has stood empty since 2016 with the lease advertised for sale in March 2021, for £7,917 a month.
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.
At the time, County Hall said it was not willing to accept proposals to replace the arena with retail.
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Reading between the lines -does that mean that the council stance on retail has changed – wasn’t one of the big supermarkets looking for an outlet in Ryde, with sizeable floor space and a large car park – which this rink ticks all those boxes
not a large free car park, bit of a difference
lidl in Newport have a scan receipt system, something like that might work, Or they purchase the carpark as well. Nope that will not work as its the super bowl carpark as well.
it’s a council car park for people who use hover and fast cat (and staff), and it’s usually pretty full near the rink.
from october 2021
https://www.islandecho.co.uk/aldi-looking-to-open-stores-in-ryde-and-shanklin-within-the-next-2-years/
Aldi has announced it will open 100 new stores across the UK over the next 2 years, with hopes of setting up shop in Ryde and Shanklin.
Aldi says it is on the lookout for sites that are big enough to accommodate a 20,000 sqft store and around 100 dedicated parking spaces, preferably on a prominent main road and with good visibility and access.
……
I think the ice rink ticks all those boxes.
It’s not clear from the article whether the new lease will mean the return of an ice rink to the island or just allow retail (or something worse).
I noticed this morning that the Westridge centre still has the Waltzing Waters signs outside despite that popular attraction having long since been killed off and kicked out by the council for use as office space.
a great building for music
Yes, I agree.
But alas, I would edge my bets on it becoming another poxy GYM, For six months until they go broke.
No imagination this lot.
Get a grant from central government and turn it back into what it was built for, AN ICE RINK !!!!!
If not an ice rink with the expensive cost of running a cooling plant and cost of maintaining the ice then why not a Roller rink with in-line hockey,music venue…minus the hassle of covering the ice with boards,Gym,sports bar as just a few ideas for the people on the island to do…biggest indoor venue…Thoughts!!!
Welcome Lidl Ryde.
Should be a Tourist attraction not a store
Pull it down and build affordable housing for islanders and islanders only. No buy to let or second home owners.
I had to read this a few times, Isle of Wight Council Own the Freehold ?? Are AEW still paying the lease for it then or have they defaulted..? Near £ 8K month rent, is a lot…
If AEW ever faulted or stopped paying the lease, then why have the IWC done nothing.. and if AEW are still the leaseholders, how can the council lease it out..??
For it to be a proper ice rink, it will need an extension to the building, as the rink is too short.. for Ice Hockey..( thank the council for that, yet again..)