Many years ago, I was closely involved with all the top production companies in ice skating and, when the Brighton Centre was being envisaged, I had several meetings with Tony Hewison in which I proposed that an ice floor should be included.

This could have been used both for ice shows and general skating when other events were not taking place, as at the RCA New York Centre and Wembley Pool (now the Wembley Arena), using built-in under-floor refrigeration piping, the ice being melted when the building is used for other functions.

I was firmly told the centre would only be designed for conference use.

Most conference bookings don't pay a penny for the hire of the centre and it was built with no facilities for shows.

Since then, many thousands have been spent in order to design alterations to partly overcome these problems.

Later, when the adjoining Top Rank ice rink was converted, I again put forward the idea to use the now defunct direct expansion plant, which was lying readily available for further use, but my suggestion was ignored.

When the Marina was proposed, the referendum put out to the people stated an ice rink would be incorporated there. This resulted in many being misled to vote in its favour.

I also had meetings with the managing director at the time, in which I pointed out that the Marina would not be cost-effective on boating alone.

Those with very expensive yachts would use the berthings in the South of France, for example, not on the cold, stormy South Coast of England. I was proved correct.

-Reg Moores, Horton Road, Brighton