Chuka Umunna, Labour’s Parliamentary Candidate for Streatham, calls on Tescos to guarantee the continuity of Streatham’s ice rink provision.

Tescos purchased the site where Streatham Ice Rink and Streatham Leisure Centre are currently situated in 2000. In June 2001 the retailer published plans to demolish the Ice Rink – these were abandoned following strong opposition from local user groups, community and voluntary organisations.

Revised proposals were approved by Lambeth Council in February 2003 with a Section 106 Agreement associated with the scheme – which has become known as the “Streatham Hub” – being concluded between the Council and Tescos in 2007.

The Streatham Hub development will provide new leisure facilities, a new supermarket and affordable housing for the Streatham area. There will also be a new transport hub linking road and rail – all of which will help to revitalise the south of Streatham.

Lambeth Council is working with Tesco to deliver the scheme but work has yet to start on the site. In the last fortnight Tescos have submitted new proposal, citing the “Credit Crunch” and economic downturn as the reasons for a revision of the 2007 plans.

A public meeting was organized today by local community group, Streatham Action, to update residents on the most recent developments, at which both Lambeth Council and Tescos restated their commitment to complete the scheme.

Commenting on the latest developments, Labour’s Parliamentary Candidate for Streatham, Chuka Umunna, said:

“Tescos say they take into account other factors such as the environment and the interests of the community, in addition to their desire to return a huge profit, when making decisions.

“Whilst I welcome their assurance that their revised proposals won’t affect the ultimate delivery of a new ice rink, I am extremely concerned that – when asked – they would give no guarantee regarding the continuity of our ice rink provision at the public meeting.

“If Tescos genuinely care for the community as they claim, they must ensure the continuity of our ice rink provision whilst the site is developed – it is fundamental to this community.

“Tescos announced record breaking sales of more than £1bn a week and annual profits of more than £3bn this year despite the impact of the global downturn, so I do hope they are not seeking to use the Credit Crunch as a wheeze for screwing over our Council and our community in the development of this site.”

Streatham Ice Rink is operated by a private, limited liability, company – Starburst Limited – that lease the facilities from Tescos PLC. Demands were made of Tescos at the public meeting to use its position to ensure the proper upkeep of the Ice Rink whilst the scheme is finalized and then developed.