THE town's ice rink will remain shut when the Link Centre is allowed to open its doors after lockdown.

Josh Roper, the partnership manager for Better, confirmed the rink is not part of plans for the first phase, which does include the gym and swimming pool.

He said: “The phased opening of the Link it will see swim, gym and fitness classes in the 1a phase of opening.

“We will then work with governing bodies to bring the ice online in future phases, such as 1b or 1c.”

The rink hosts a number of ice skating classes as well and is also popular with the general public.

It is also home to the Swindon Wildcats ice hockey team, which had six games left to play in the 2019/20 season before the coroanvirus lockdown forced the sport to be suspended.

Unlike the situation in professional football, the Elite Ice Hockey League took the decision to make the season null and void – meaning the standings and results will be wiped from the records.

Swindon Wildcats were second in the table, seven points behind leaders Telford Tigers, when the decision was made.