Hundreds sign a petition to save Plymouth's ice rink
The decision to close it permanently is being blamed on the energy crisis and rising costs
Hundreds of people have signed a petition to save Plymouth's ice rink, after confirmation the venue will close permanently in the new year.
The CEO of Plymouth Pavilions, Sarah Phillips, says it has been "significantly impacted by the energy crisis", which influenced their decision to shut down the rink.
A change.org petition to stop the closure has had more than 600 signatures and counting!
Ice rink petition
The petition states: "Help stop the closure of the only ice rink in Devon and Cornwall, caused by many factors including energy costs to run the rink. This will affect many people who have skated there for years,
"We have a thriving figure skating community and a great hockey team and many people who enjoy going for fun, and also lose many jobs for people who work there; it also will affect future people who come to use the rink.
"There is great potential with providing a bigger ice rink facility and the ice-skating community that we can have!
Plymouth Pavilions' statement
A statement says: "Plymouth Pavilions is a high energy user and the increase in energy costs has turned the operation of the ice rink from a non-commercial business into one which is wholly unsustainable, and which had the potential to threaten the viability of the entire venue if we did not take action.
"The decision to close the ice rink is a very difficult one but our focus has to be to ensure the future of the Pavilions as the region's largest indoor arena and a hugely important and much-loved community asset for the city.
"We are sorry for all those who use the ice rink and for our colleagues working there whose jobs are at risk as a consequence of this decision; and we are committed to supporting them over the coming weeks".