A BUSINESSMAN has said he has been left “stressed” over a tight decision deadline for planning consent of the ice rink in Bournemouth town centre. 

The popular attraction in the Lower Gardens, which has welcomed thousands over the past decade, will start to be built on Monday, October 28. 

But This Event Company, the firm that runs the ice rink, was only given the go-ahead from BCP Council on Thursday, October 24. 

This Event Company had already spent a significant amount of money on this year's ice rink, despite the go-ahead not being guaranteed until days before the start date.

Simon Smith, director of This Event CompanySimon Smith, director of This Event Company (Image: BCP Council)

Simon Smith, director at This Event Company, said not being entirely sure the application would be fully approved caused him ‘significant stress’. 

He said: “This is a one-year contract to line up with the market so that the whole site would go up for tender. 

“I was awarded this one-year extra contract in June 2024. I first saw the contract in July 2024. 

“Obviously, we shouldn’t be having this planning committee now, we should’ve been having it months ago. 

“Work will begin on site on Monday and at least £500,000 has been invested [...] the stress of this is significant and the risk is significant. 

“We reacted and put in the planning as soon as we put in the contract, the last few years planning has been approved and we expected this to go ahead.” 

Planning committee member Marion Le Poidevin sympathised with Mr Smith and said those in charge of planning need to work quicker to allow the business to prepare. 

She said: “He is upset that it’s coming up so late, I'm very upset, but this isn’t an isolated example.  

“We’ve had several over the last few months that have come up to this committee, mainly related to the gardens, the Square and that part of the town. 

“They’ve all come in at very short notice within days of the operation coming into action very often, as in this case. 

“I’m making a plea to whoever is responsible – I accept in this case it probably isn’t the applicant – things have to move much earlier. 

“We ought to have an application in at least a month before it’s due to start operation or be set up.” 

In the summer, Seventa Events had planned a roller skate rink in the Lower Gardens but councillors rejected the proposal just days before it was due to open.