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 two year anniversary since the rink closed.

Isle of Wight County Press: Link around the rink protest in 2018. Picture by Sienna Anderson.Link around the rink protest in 2018. Picture by Sienna Anderson.

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.

Isle of Wight County Press: Former Cllr Wayne Whittle (front) and MP Bob Seely (back right) at the Link Around the Rink protest in 2018. Picture by Sienna Anderson.Former Cllr Wayne Whittle (front) and MP Bob Seely (back right) at the Link Around the Rink protest in 2018. Picture by Sienna Anderson.

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.