THERE is fresh hope Ryde Arena could be bought by a community interest group in the future and see ice sports return to the Isle of Wight.
The ice rink was closed last year and the ice pad ripped up by leaseholder AEW UK, after claims the business was loss making.
The freeholder, the Isle of Wight Council has now designated the building as "an asset of community value".
This means AEW UK will not be able to sell the remaining years of their 25-year-lease until an opportunity has been provided for an interested community group to register an interest in purchasing it.
A consortium — which could come from Ryde Arena Community Action Group — would then have a certain period of time to raise funds and put together a business plan.
However, AEW UK will be under no obligation to sell their lease to the group and can choose whichever purchaser it wants.
A spokesperson for Ryde Arena Community Action Group said: "We, as a group, are very pleased that we have the council's backing on this.
"We will continue to work very hard in trying to bring back ice sports to the Island.
"This gives us a lot more time and gives AEW yet another headache and shows them we will fight for this all the way."