A multi-million pound ice rink is to be created in Birmingham as part of a major redevelopment of the old Silver Blades and Planet Ice venue in Birmingham.
Renewed planning consent has been granted for the revamp of the existing complex in Pershore Street, next to the wholesale markets.
The consent gives the go-ahead to revive the project after years of delays, bringing a permanent ice-skating facility to Birmingham along with more than 200 apartments.
A temporary ice rink opened on the site before Christmas, providing skating in Birmingham for the first time in eight years following the closure in 2003 of the Planet Ice complex, formerly Silver Blades, following a fire.
But if the redevelopment finally goes ahead after years of planning wrangles, the current rink will be demolished and a new multi-million pound revamp undertaken.
Planning committee members urged developers to move as quickly as possible.
Coun Bob Beauchamp (Con Erdington) said: “This building is a blight on this area, near the Chinese Quarter and Arcadian, and needs putting right without further delay.”
The scheme would see the famed venue, once a rock & roll haunt which hosted stars such as Tina Turner in the 1960s, given a makeover under plans for a new 12-storey facility.
Keir Price of planning consultants CSJ Brooke Smith, said: “A city of the status of Birmingham needs a state-of-the-art ice rink that properly reflects its leisure needs in the 21st century.
“The renewed proposals for the ice rink indicate continued confidence in the area, and comes hot on the heels of the Travelodge scheme in Upper Dean Street, Digbeth.
“This is a key site in the south of the city centre. It was recently highlighted as the Southern Gateway where Birmingham City Council is encouraging major mixed-use development.”
