Campaigners who want to save the Sobell Centre’s ice rink, during a Town Hall protest

• ISLINGTON Council will be deciding soon regarding the reinstalling of the Sobell ice rink, and I hope that they have had time to reconsider their position not to have it reinstalled.

In August 2022 the Sobell centre suffered a major flood due to a Thames Water main bursting and the council has the insurance money that they received for damage caused that can be used for the very purpose of reinstalling the rink.

As Jeremy Corbyn MP has stated: “I would suggest that I am aware the current proposals to replace the ice rink have not been received well. From my understanding, the council believes the ice rink uses a great deal of energy and is not cost-effective.

“I note that this conclusion could be attributed to a number of factors such as: low admission prices for the ice rink an outdated cooling system and equipment which wastes an enormous amount of energy.

“GLL’s [Greenwich Leisure Ltd] inability to give comprehensive figures of ice rink users meant that decisions are based on insufficient data. This leads me to be concerned that the council is seeking to make significant strategic decisions based on outdated, incomplete, or non-existent information.

“I hope the council will rethink the proposal to close the ice rink and use this opportunity to improve its efficiency and attraction to the community and encourage greater and more diverse usage of the Sobell.”

An effectively managed ice rink would attract more visitors and experienced specialist ice rink operators are confident about this; and I believe have offered to run the rink as a viable business.

As a member of the Labour Party I find it abhorrent what a majority Labour council is doing in Islington regarding the call from the community to reinstate the ice rink.

Do the current councillors want part of Labour’s local history to be that “we axed and deprived future generations (also your children and grandchildren) of the opportunity to gain ice skating, hockey, team-building and social skill that can enhance their health and wellbeing”?

The consultation has been a sham and a decision should not be a foregone conclusion that undermines local democracy.

I urge the councillors to reflect on their positions and to support a decision not to close the Sobell ice rink.

If there is genuine political will a solution can be found to reinstall the rink and to generate income to make it viable.

This should be done for the benefit of the local community, for democracy and to be more progressive about its future.

DR KEITH EDWARDS
Archway Road, N6