Skaters devastated as Cannock ice rink to shut down

Planet Ice Cannock, at Lakeside Plaza on Walkmill Lane, will close on March 27 – prompting an outcry from people who use it.

Almost 2,500 people have signed a petition calling for a rethink over the decision as they try and lobby for the rink to stay open.

The closure is believed to be related to negotiations breaking down when it came to renew the lease on the site, formerly Silver Blades.

Lucy Taylor, who set up the petition, said: "Unfortunately we have received the bad news that after 15 years, the Cannock ice rink (which was Silver Blades) are closing their doors for good on March 27.

"This is devastating news for all the staff, coaches, skaters, parents and the general public. The staff who work at the rink and the coaches this is their livelihood, and as you can imagine there is a fair few regular skaters (some of which have skated at Cannock all their life) who are devastated about this news and we are trying all avenues to try and keep the rink open."

Planet Ice has its headquarters in Lichfield and has 15 branches across the country including in Coventry, Solihull and Uttoxeter.

Lucy Ratcliffe, who has been skating at the ice rink since she was an eight-year-old, said the closure was "devastating" and called for something to be done to ensure Cannock had an ice rink.

The 22-year-old, who lives in Calf Heath near Cannock, said: "It's been like my second home since I was eight and it's just devastating.

"It's one of those things we'd really like to be able to offer to the young people in the area. The nearest one is an independent venue in Telford and the other Planet Ice rink is 45 minutes away at Solihull.

"It gives young people a focus and passion and it's something people can care about, which is important especially how the world is with Covid-19. I'm 22 now – I'm old in skating terms – but if I'm having a bad day I know I can go there. It's good for people's mental health, too, because if people get bullied at school they've got a place they can go to. It's about that social aspect of it too."

Nigel Gardiner, posting a message on the petition page, said: "It’s the only rink for miles around and where both of my children learned to skate and learned to love skating. Without it local children won’t have a place to learn."

Another signatory: "We cannot have facilities like this one closing. As leisure time becomes more and more important it is imperative that local amenities stay open."

While another said: "It is a valuable asset to the local community, giving them a chance to experience ice skating and go on to develop a passion and skill."

Planet Ice has been contacted for comment.