Skaters fear an ice rink which has been closed during a business wrangle may never reopen.

Sussex Ice Rink, Brighton's only ice-skating venue, has been padlocked since May while desperate attempts have been made to find a new buyer.

Leaseholders Roy and Sherry Scott put the rink up for sale in December but there are fears the asking price, thought to be about £45,000, is putting off buyers.

The couple, who took over four years ago, said they were no longer able to afford the running costs for the rink in Queen's Square, Brighton.

Mrs Scott said in May that a deal for new leaseholders could be finalised within weeks but Brighton and Hove City Council is still trying to thrash out an agreement.

The Scotts had originally intended to keep the rink open until a buyer was found but decided in May to close its doors.

Keen skaters who have missed out on sessions at the rink throughout the summer are becoming increasingly concerned it may be closed for good.

The rink, measuring 40ft by 60ft, has struggled to make money in recent years and any buyer would be expected to carry out extensive refurbishment.

Patricia Ginman, of campaign group Keep Sussex Skating, said: "Skaters come to Brighton from across Sussex and it's terrible there is no rink for them in the whole city now.

"If the rink doesn't reopen, we're off the ice-skating map of Great Britain for good.

"There are very few brownfield sites left where you could see a new rink being built.

"The council is trying hard to find someone but this has dragged on for so long that you worry about how it will turn out."

Members of the group have been urging people to sign petitions calling for the rink to be reopened and a skating strategy for the city to be drawn up.

Mrs Scott said: "We're still trying to sell it and we've got people who are interested but the council is dealing with it all. It's down to them. The rink will be open when someone has bought it."

A council spokeswoman said: "Mr and Mrs Scott had to close the business because they couldn't afford the insurance.

"The council is now working closely with them to make sure the rink can be kept open.

"We are marketing the rink to find a new operator. We have already had some interest from prospective buyers and are currently in talks with an interested party."

Thursday September 18, 2003