Plea issued to land and building owners by campaigners fighting for new ice rink in Norwich

Campaigners fighting to get a new ice rink installed in Norwich following the sudden closure of Planet Ice have issued an appeal to land and building owners in the city who might be able to offer them suitable sites.

The sudden closure of Planet Ice, in Drayton High Road, the city's only ice rink, last month devastated skaters and ice hockey players meaning they now have to travel to Peterborough or Chelmsford for the nearest venue.

But skaters, ice hockey players and parents of children who used the rink have since formed a steering group, SOS Norwich Ice Rink, which is looking at the possibility of getting a new rink in the city.

Liam Maguire, a member of the steering group and team captain of the Norwich Norsemen ice hockey team, said: 'We're currently looking for sites - a few people have said they would look at a business plan around . A few people have said if we can find a proper site they will look at a business plan around it which is really positive.

'So we're looking around for some suitable areas of land or any building which can be turned into a rink. We need a building around 3000 square metres or so. It's hard to find that around the city.'

Mr Maguire, who said they had spoken to some land agents so they can be advised of any suitable sites as soon as they came up, said any offers would be 'gratefully received'.

The 38-year-old from Hethersett said he was delighted with the way the campaign for a new rink had captured the imagination, particularly among youngsters, with more than 550 people signing a petition in support of a new rink in Chapelfield Gardens earlier this month.

If you have got land or a building to offer email maguirelm@googlemail.com

To find out more about the campaign, go to the SOS Norwich Ice Rink Facebook page.