Planet Ice signs at St Modwen/Halton leisure scheme

The Planet Ice chain of skating rinks has signed up to the £10m Venture Fields leisure project in Widnes.

The chain will operate the rink in the flagship leisure scheme by Widnes Regeneration, the joint venture between Halton Borough Council and St Modwen.

Also confirmed for the project are a 24-lane bowling alley, to be operated by Tenpin, and five-screen cinema, Reel Cinemas, restaurants including Frankie and Benny's, and retail.

Richard Bakes, development manager of St Modwen, said: "A major leisure attraction has been an ambition for Widnes for many years and to have attracted the range of occupiers to this scheme exceeds the expectations of even the optimistic.

"To underwrite the scheme St Modwen was willing to operate the ice rink itself, as it did in Solihull, but our preference was always to find a specialist independent operator. We are therefore delighted that Venture Fields has attracted such a high profile operator who we feel is well suited to operate the rink in Widnes.

"In addition to ice skating, Planet Ice's rink will be a venue for ice hockey matches and such events as boxing."