Locals have been left reeling at plans to convert Bristol’s Ice rink into student flats. A petition against the closure of the 45 year old rink on Frogmore street has attracted over 3000 signatures.

The conversion, which is due to start in October, is planned by student housing firm Unite. James Hunt, development director at Unite, said:

‘We are in the early stages of planning new Unite student accommodation on the site currently occupied by the Bristol Ice Rink and the O2 music venue. The O2 will not be impacted by our plans: however, the ice rink will be affected.

‘We are in discussion with the owner of Bristol Ice Rink about their future role in the new development. The new development will include some leisure space and will work with the ice rink to keep users informed of our proposal as they develop. The current lease expires in January 2013.

‘Early discussion have begun with local amenity groups and further consultation will take place in the next few months with neighbours, local businesses and residents to inform the design of the new building before we apply for planning permission. Subject to receiving planning permission the scheme could open for September 2014.’

He added: ‘Unite has owned the site for ten years and we would now like to redevelop the site in response to the positive outlook of the city’s two universities.’

This positive outlook is not shared by everyone, as the conversion will force skaters to travel to Swindon for the nearest alternative. Anne Strange, chairwoman of Bristol Ice Skating Club said ‘The closure of bristol Ice rink means a long journey to any other rink’ which would be ‘impossible’ for some people.

Sharon Davies, chairwoman of the Bristol bulldogs junior ice hockey team, said she ‘shocked’ by the news. ‘I am devastated for the children. It’s not only them but also the figure skaters and the synchronised skaters who practise as the rink.

‘There are also sledging sessions for disabled adults and children- there’s things that go on there for older people too.

‘A lot of children go down there at the weekends- it’s a nice place to go and keeps them off the streets, they make a lot of friends down there. It’s such a big part of Bristol, it’s been there for so long.’

However, there is hope that a new ice-rink could be built in south Bristol. John Nike, the Berkshire-based businessman who operates the ice rink wants to build hundreds of homes close in a development that could include a £10 million ice rink.

Nevertheless, the supporters of the rink say it will be missed by many people. Ice rink manager Eddie Pearson said: ‘This is a very sad day for everyone connected to the ice rink, both the staff and the users. This is not a decision that has been taken by us but by our landlords.’