A PROPERTY tycoon has revealed £100,000 plans to open an ice skating rink in Clacton.

David Pullen, 41, a Clacton resident for the past ten years, said it was ridiculous towns the size of Clacton and Colchester did not have their own rinks.

Mr Pullen is looking at warehouses on the Gorse Lane industrial estate as likely locations for a 5,000 sq ft rink – significantly smaller than the established rinks in Chelmsford and Romford, which are closer to 16,000 sq ft.

He said: “My partner wanted to go skating, so I looked up local ice rinks and the nearest was in Chelmsford.

“There is nothing around here, or even in Colchester or Ipswich.

“By the time you go all the way to Chelmsford, on top of the skate hire and things, you’re looking at an expensive day out.

“I want to open a rink here for my family and for local people. I think it would give a big boost to the area if we had an activity like that here.

“The council is always saying it wants to regenerate the area and I think this would be a good way to help do that.”

Mr Pullen has been told it would cost about £100,000 to convert a building to a rink, but is also looking at ways of creating a rink for less.

He said: “I have also been looking at synthetic ice from America, which would save on the costs of all the machinery.

“I’m waiting on the figures for that, but it could save a lot of hassle.

“I’m not looking to just chuck money away, but I think it could be good for the area so I want to make it good.

“It is just an idea in its early stages at the moment, but it is something I want to follow through.”

Synthetic ice has developed a lot since it was invented in 1950. It is now said to have 90 per cent of the “glide factor” of the real thing.

Tendring Council has said it would welcome any proposals or planning applications for a rink.

l Mr Pullen is keen to get local feedback on his proposal. Readers can contact him by e-mailing davepullen@hotmail .com