PLANS for a new ice rink in Bar End seem to have been scrapped.

As previously reported, a developer had offered to transform the disused Bar End Depot into a new leisure complex.

The site would have featured a budget hotel, restaurants, and a convenience store, alongside a four-lane curling pad, ten-pin bowling and a space for climbing, as well as an Olympic size ice rink.

READ MORE: Progress for Bar End Depot development as council hosts public consultation

Hampshire Chronicle: Aerial shot of the Bar End Depot siteAerial shot of the Bar End Depot site (Image: Winchester City Council)However, Winchester City Council has denied receiving such a proposal for the space.

A spokesperson for the council told the Chronicle: “Following a request for expressions of interest in 2022 and subsequent public engagement, the council then asked for full proposals to be submitted for the Bar End Depot site by the end of November 2023. These are currently being assessed against the development brief and for viability.

“We can confirm, however, that we did not receive a proposal for an ice rink.”

When asked for clarification, the spokesperson confirmed that the council had not received a proposal for a leisure complex similar to the one the Chronicle had previously reported on.

The bid was being supported by Winchester Ice Sports Association (WISA) and former BBC Sports Personality of the Year, Robin Cousins, who had been trying to bring the facility to the city for the last five to six years.

Edna Boden, one of the founding members at WISA, said that Winchester City Council did receive the application and that she believes the council is downplaying the importance of sports in the city.

Hampshire Chronicle: Bar End DepotBar End Depot (Image: Newsquest)SEE ALSO: New photos show shocking state of leisure centre nearly three years after closure

She told the Chronicle: “The developer did put forward an application, it was mentioned at the last consultation.

“The developer has said that he is not going to challenge it anymore. We are really disappointed in this; the council definitely received the proposal. I think it would have been a benefit to the city.

“We feel like the council already has a plan for the site in mind. But the amount of support that plans for an ice rink have got is particularly high. I think people like the sound of the idea, and we won’t stop campaigning for it.”