COLCHESTER could soon get its first permanent ice rink.

A building in Stanway which has not been used for more than five years could become an ice rink and tenpin bowling centre.

A planning application has been submitted to turn the former Focus DIY and Gardening centre into an “indoor leisure centre”.

A statement submitted to the council says it would create at least 35 jobs.

Colchester has no ice skating rink, although there is the popular roller skating centre Rollerworld, in Moorside.

This Christmas a temporary “synthetic” ice rink will be set up in Colchester’s Castle Park.

Wendy Bailey, chairman of Destination Colchester, which aims to promote the town, said if residents in Stanway supported the bid, then it was a good idea.

She said: “We will support it if there are no contentious planning issues.”

Gaye Pyman, a Stanway councillor, said the centre would be welcome as long as increased traffic on nearby Dugard Avenue did not become a concern.

She said: “Any activities for younger people are a good idea and things like that do benefit the community.

“The traffic would be a prime concern, just because of Dugard Avenue and the fact that it’s where people go through to get to Straight Road.”

After the gardening centre closed in 2003, the building was refurbished and advertised as a retail warehouse, but attracted little interest.

If successful, the 20,000sq ft building would include an ice-skating rink, 14 tenpin bowling lanes, pool tables, games and a bar.

Opening hours would be from 10am until 11.30pm Monday to Thursday, midnight on Friday and Saturday, and 11pm on Sundays and bank holidays.

The application is to change the use of the building, and few external changes would be made.

No-one from the Johnson Dennehy Planning Partnership, the agent behind the application, was available for comment.