"Keeping ice rink open is non-negotiable" Chris tells Tesco

2.56.00pm GMT Mon 15th Feb 2010

At a meeting with Tesco last Friday (February 12th), just two days after they had failed to turn up to the public meeting to discuss the Streatham Hub development, Chris Nicholson, Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate for Streatham, told the company that keeping the ice rink open whilst a new one is built is "non-negotiable" for the local community.

At his meeting with Tesco's Eoin Dardis, who had led the Tesco team at the public meeting on the Streatham Hub in October, Chris made clear the local community's anger at the constant delay and dithering by Lambeth Council and Tesco.

Chris told Tesco "We have had to put up with four years of delay and dithering during which time the ice rink has deteriorated further and now the leisure centre has closed. This cannot go on and a decision must be reached by Tesco and the Council in March. And let Tesco and the Labour Council be in no doubt - the ice rink staying open till a new one is built is non-negotiable. The suggestion of a small temporary ice rink is not acceptable to local ice hockey team, Streatham Redskins, nor to skaters training at the rink, nor to the local community. Let there be no doubt, Liberal Democrats will be pressing for a Compulsory Purchase Order for the ice rink site if agreement is not reached next month."

After the meeting Chris added "I am very worried from all that I have heard that the Council and Tesco are exploring ways to wriggle out of the commitment to keep the ice rink open. That is why it was so important to give Tesco this clear message - for local residents and the Liberal Democrats keeping the ice rink open is non-negotiable"

Labour has let us down on the ice rink. The Conservatives can't win here. Only a vote for the Liberal Democrats can make a difference in our area.