A SUMMER ice rink at the BIC has proved so popular it is set to return at Christmas.

Now one councillor wants to hear whether the public would welcome its regular return as a consolation for the likely closure of the centre's leisure pool.

The rink has been doing brisk business since its arrival on July 12, not least among families unable to take the scorching temperatures on the beach. It will stay in place until August 19.

Steve Smith, head of finance and operations at the BIC, said: "It's been a considerable success and we will be looking to do it again over Christmas and the New Year.

"Because of its success, we're looking to improve the size of the rink to accommodate more numbers and improve the experience."

Although the rink was touted as the ideal wet-weather facility, a lot of people had been going there to get out of the heat, he said.

Bournemouth Borough Council recently voted to make the closure of the BIC pool the preferred option for creating more exhibition space at the BIC. The council says the centre needs more space to avoid the town losing out on conference business.

Cllr Andrew Garratt, the Liberal Democrat council's cabinet member for community relations, wants opinion on whether the ice rink should become a regular attraction.

He said a new exhibition hall could increase the BIC's ability to host leisure attractions and entertainment as well as serving conferences.

He said: "The e-mails and letters have dried up. I'd be very interested to hear from people if this was something they hadn't been aware of and would be interested in. Would it be something that they felt would go some way to compensating for the loss of the BIC pool?"

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echo.co.uk, or contact Cllr Garratt c/o Bournemouth Town Hall, Bourne Avenue, Bournemouth BH2 6DY, or e-mail andrew.

garratt@bournemouth.gov.uk