Ice rink to close after 46 years

The doors first opened in 1966, and tonight, Bristol Ice Rink will close them for the last time.

The Unite group owns the site in Trenchard Street. It's planning to redevelop the site and turn it into student accommodation.

The closure received criticism from many skaters including Torvill and Dean and fellow Olympic Medallist Robin Cousins, who campaigned to keep it open.

The announcement was made in January. Thousands of people signed an online petition to save the rink and many protested outside to oppose the closure.

General Manager Eddie Pearson says it is a very sad day:

This is how we covered the story back in February:

And here's some footage from our archives showing Olympic medalist Robin Cousins skating at the ice rink in 1992: