Parking charges could 'price families out of skating'

A parent living with a chronic disorder says an ice rink's new parking charges could price families out of the sport.

Caz Brook, who has fibromyalgia and is a blue badge holder, said new charges at Planet Ice in Cribbs Causeway near Bristol would cost her family at least £40 extra a month.

She said ice skating is an expensive hobby and some parents already "live off beans on toast" to afford it. Signage at the site shows the first 45 minutes is free, with a price increase up to £5 for five hours.

Planet Ice said it does not manage or benefit from the revenue of the charges. Adding the facility is owned and operated by a third-party landlord on private land.

It added, the 45-minute grace period accommodates parents dropping off or collecting young skaters without financial penalty.

Brook said her two children train at the rink almost five days a week between them.

She told the BBC her eldest child suffers with anxiety and she finds skating therapeutical.

Brook also has a hip condition that makes parking further away in Cribbs Causeway inaccessible.

Freelance writer and figure skater Helen Blow, 62, travels more than an 80-mile (128km) round trip between Cheltenham to Bristol to skate every week.

She said customers will inevitably end up paying the charges.

"Even with a half-an-hour session, people still need to get changed and shower. These things takes time, which could go over the [free] 45-minute waiting time," she said.

Blow said the new charges would affect loyal customers and those travelling from further afield.

She questioned whether the decision matched Planet Ice's commitment to inclusive skating.

"If they are promoting inclusive skating for all, putting extra charges on really does detract from that and will dissuade people from coming along," she said.

A spokesperson for Planet Ice said the facility is owned and operated entirely by an independent third party landlord.

Parking is free for up to 45 minutes, £1 for up to two hours, £2 for up to three hours and £5 for up to five hours.

It said operational data showed the vast majority of visitors will only incur a £1 charge.

Planet Ice said customers "typically" stay no longer than two hours for public skating sessions.

It added: "Individual training sessions generally last between 30 to 45 minutes, falling entirely within the free waiting period or worse case £1.

"Ice hockey training routinely lasts one hour meaning patrons fall comfortably within the £1 threshold."

Chris Benson, head coach of Snowdogs - a grassroots ice hockey club who train at the rink - said he understood the commercial decision to bring in parking charges.

But he worries the added cost will price some families out of the sport.

"It's already an horrifically expensive sport," he said.

"It can cost anywhere between £500 and £750 just to buy protective equipment."

There are no plans to charge for parking on the wider Cribbs Causeway site, including the Mall. The decision is separate as the ice rink operates on private land.

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