Hove rink partnership plans for an autumn opening

12:40pm Monday 28th January 2013 in News By Ben James

The ice rink is proposed for the Engineerium in Hove The ice rink is proposed for the Engineerium in Hove

Brighton and Hove is set to get its own indoor ice rink – and we could be on our skates as early as October.

City businessman Mike Holland and Olympic gold medallist ice-skater Robin Cousins this week submitted plans for a rink next to the Engineerium in Hove.

If given the all clear, it could operate from the beginning of October to the end of March for the next five years.

Mr Holland, a prominent city property developer, has formed a partnership with the Olympic figure skater whose events company is in place to provide the rink.

Speaking about the plans, Mr Holland said: “People in the city are always talking about an ice rink – so there is definitely a desire for one.

“It is time for Sussex to get the skates out. We have a perfect location and plenty of support. All being well we will be opening later in the year.”

The plans, which have been submitted to the council’s planning officers, reveal that the temporary structure would largely consist of white and clear PVC roofing.

Engineerium site

It would sit in front of the Engineerium’s boiler house with the imposing chimney towering over it.

There would be four marquee structures in total, enclosing the ice rink, ice pad machine, skate hire facility and shop.

As well as selling refreshments, the shop is set to sell the likes of hats and gloves.

The facility would provide 15 full-time and 10 part-time jobs.

'Great location'

Mr Holland added: “It’s about creating the whole Engineerium experience.

“Skating will be included in the entry price allowing the family to spend quality time together doing a bit of everything.

“It’s a great location: we have good bus links, we’re close to the railway station and in a big catchment area.

“We are also planning to put on our own courtesy bus from the seafront.

Ice arena

“And well, as you know, everyone in this city cycles so it will be easy to get to.

“I known Robin is really excited about it and of course he will be there for the opening.”

Mr Cousins has already once attempted to build an ice arena in the city as one of the directors of Brighton Arena Ltd.

Along with Winchester-based developer David Pople, Cousins unveiled plans for a full size arena at the Black Rock site on the seafront.

Planning

However, after nine years without a brick put in place, the group lost the development rights to the site.

The council has set a target date of March 20 to decide on the new plans.

Talking point: What do you think about the plans for the ice rink? Is it a welcome addition? Share your views by commenting below or write in to The Argus readers letters page by emailing letters@theargus.co.uk.

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Comments(20)

s&k says...
12:43pm Mon 28 Jan 13

Can't wait - let's hope it happens !!

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Tis I says...
12:45pm Mon 28 Jan 13

Good on you Mike Holland. About time someone got it together!

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Algeria Touchshriek says...
1:00pm Mon 28 Jan 13

2 points:

1. Why will it only run from Oct to March?

2. If this is the case, how is this creating "15 full time jobs" surely they mean seasonal jobs?

Perhaps I have read the above incorrecty.

Good idea though.

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leobrighton says...
2:00pm Mon 28 Jan 13

Ok but will the Pavilion Ice rink come back if there is another one in the city?

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BiggerH says...
2:17pm Mon 28 Jan 13

can't recall anyone ever saying to me 'what this city/town needs is an ice rink'

but they do say 'it'd be nice if we had a decent swimming pool'

what is this obsession with ice rinks in Brighton??

like the Pavilion one, the majority of people will use it for an hour, get bored and not go back.

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jyan says...
3:35pm Mon 28 Jan 13

I believe it will have a frosty reception. Literally. (sorry)

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heartthrob says...
5:27pm Mon 28 Jan 13

It would be great if something could be done at Black Rock, come on greens, pull your finger out.

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Hove Actually says...
10:35pm Mon 28 Jan 13

IF it's going inside a PVC tent it won't be that big, I thought there was a smallish pond in front of the main boiler house?

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lillylou says...
8:56am Tue 29 Jan 13

Seasonal jobs arnt real jobs mr holland only good for students not for adults with real bills who need a permanent job!

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lillylou says...
8:58am Tue 29 Jan 13

And how much is the entrance fee ? Hope the locals can afford to use it unlike the pavillion ice rink so expensive you can only take kids the once !

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Tallywhacker says...
9:21am Tue 29 Jan 13

Even in Canada and Russia ice rinks don't operate year round. This is not going to be an ice rink it will be a small ice skating park. A proper ice rink would be of much more use than just a rinky **** pleasure skate. It won't make skating more popular as the main skating sports figure skating and ice hockey will not be able to use it.

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Clive Bonny says...
9:29am Tue 29 Jan 13

In reply to above comments
The plan is to employ over 100 local people full time on this site within the next 3 years. Jobs will be created for young people and managers. The Ice Rink will be the first major attraction to open with others to follow on the same site. The British Engineerium will become a major tourist attraction bringing revenue to the City and a training centre for local apprentices.

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lillylou says...
10:21am Tue 29 Jan 13

Brighton ice rink used to be open all year and cost 60p per session with hire , seeing as minimum wage hasn't gone up a lot since the 80s I do think it should cost around £2 for a session not £8 !

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thevoiceoftruth says...
11:04am Tue 29 Jan 13

Brilliant news! I love ice skating and I think it will be really popular.

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John60 says...
1:14pm Tue 29 Jan 13

What is the fascination and obsession on having an Ice rink in Brighton? I don't get it.

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John60 says...
1:17pm Tue 29 Jan 13

heartthrob wrote:
It would be great if something could be done at Black Rock, come on greens, pull your finger out.
Didn't you hear? The greens are going to turn that whole area in Black Rock that once was the Lido into a massive bike storage area for cyclist to park their bikes in.....

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Valerie Paynter says...
9:12pm Tue 29 Jan 13

John60 wrote:
heartthrob wrote: It would be great if something could be done at Black Rock, come on greens, pull your finger out.
Didn't you hear? The greens are going to turn that whole area in Black Rock that once was the Lido into a massive bike storage area for cyclist to park their bikes in.....
Park-and-walk!

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notaconspiracy says...
11:06pm Tue 29 Jan 13

I hope this makes the Engineerium successful, too. I've always quite liked going there.

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imnotpc says...
10:36pm Wed 30 Jan 13

oh how marvelous!! now all us 'chaps' can skate around and around saying 'ooooohie! chase me chase me lol hahahahahahaha

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scary lady 1 says...
9:51am Sat 16 Feb 13

As a local resident who lives not 300 yards from the Engineerium, it should be noted that the Engineerium (according to their plans) has only 15 car parking spaces as it is and these will be taken away to construct the marquee. The plans include no accommodation for parking. Any Brighton and Hove resident who visits Hove Park, knows that parking is an issue in general. Let alone those of us who live in the vacinity. During the week, as a result of the Legal and General 'shared parking policy' I cannot move my car away from home and hope to return and park before 6pm. With this proposal, residents will now (from October to February) be subjected to persistent issues with parking, not to mention increased pedestrian traffic past our homes and noise and litter, every day, with the exception of Christmas Day. I am fully supportive of the Engineerium finding ways to fund the restoration works needed, but not at the expense of the sanity of it's local residents. I also feel it would be lovely for Brighton and Hove to have a ice skating rink - but on the outskirts of the town where suitable parking can be accommodated.

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