TV's Floella 3000th to sign petition as Labour break Ice Rink promise

1.16.00pm GMT Thu 10th Dec 2009

The "Save Our Ice Rink" petition launched by Chris Nicholson, Lib Dem Parliamentary Spokesperson for Streatham, and local Liberal Democrats to keep Streatham Ice Rink open has hit 3000 signatures this week with the support of TV personality Floella Benjamin.

Floella Benjamin, best known for her work on BBC's Playschool, was impressed by the huge amount of signatures collected over a short period of time, symbolizing huge support from local people worried about the fate of the ice rink. The petition calls on Lambeth Council and Tesco, the owner of the site, to ensure skating continues.

Chris Nicholson, Liberal Democrat campaigner for Streatham, Brixton and Clapham, pictured here with Floella, commented: "I am delighted that Floella Benjamin, along with thousands of fellow local residents, is backing our campaign to keep Streatham skating. It is very important that we keep the pressure on Lambeth Council and Tesco to keep their promise to keep Streatham skating".

The Labour Council's promise to hold a public meeting by December 8th to inform Streatham residents about Tesco's new proposals has already been broken:

Lambeth Labour Cabinet Member Cllr Lib Peck announced at a meeting on 8th October that a follow-up meeting would be organised within 2 months.

Chris expressed strong concerns about this recent development: "The Streatham Hub Project has been bedevilled by dithering and delay by Lambeth which has got us into this mess. It is alarming that it looks as though this history of broken promises is set to continue!"