Planet Ice

Planet Ice
Industry	Ice Skating & Live Events
Founder	Andreas Gregorious & Mike Petrouis
Headquarters	Lichfield, United Kingdom
Number of locations	14
Area served	United Kingdom
Key people	Mike Petrouis (Founder); Heath Rhodes (COO);
Website	planet-ice.co.uk
	Footnotes / references; Andreas Gregoriou died in January 2005

Planet Ice is the largest chain of ice rinks in the United Kingdom, renowned for providing a wide range of ice-related activities, including public skating, ice hockey, figure skating, Birthday Parties and other sporting and live events. With a strong emphasis on community engagement and accessibility, Planet Ice has developed comprehensive programs catering to beginners and advanced skaters alike, including specialised initiatives for inclusive skating. The facilities also serve as key venues for professional and amateur ice hockey teams, operating under the governance of major bodies such as the English Ice Hockey Association (EIHA), British Ice Skating (BIS), and Ice Hockey UK (IHUK). In addition to sports, Planet Ice hosts diverse events, from boxing competitions to music concerts, further establishing its role as a versatile community hub.

Arenas

There are currently fourteen Planet Ice Arenas in operation in the UK:

History

Planet Ice was founded in 1996 by Mike Petrouis and Andreas Gregorious.

Planet Ice Birmingham - 1996

Originally Silver Blades, the building at Pershore Street in Birmingham City Centre began refurbishment on 19 January and re-opened on 17 September with Mike Petrouis as Managing Director and Andreas Gregoriou as Chairman.

Planet Ice Peterborough - 1997

Planet Ice took ownership of the rink in April

Planet Ice Milton Keynes - 1998

Opened in March with Mark Johnson as General Manager

Planet Ice Isle of Wight & Coventry Skydome - 1999

The IOW rinks and IOW Raider Ice Hockey Team were acquired in September. In November Planet Ice purchased Coventry Skydome Arena. A brand new Arena designed and built to Olympic Specification both for ice skating and major concert and non ice events with a seating capacity of up to 4000.

Planet Ice Basingstoke - 2000

Planet Ice purchased the ice rink in Basingstoke, renamed the Silver Dome, and took ownership of Basingstoke Bison. www.planet-ice.co.uk was also launched in this year.

PWA Silverdome Netherlands - 2002

Opened by Mike Petrouis, Andreas Gregoriou and Winter Olympic Gold Medallist Wilf O'Reilly

Chairman of Planet Ice, Andreas Gregoriou, died in January 2005
T-Mobile Outdoor Rink - 2005

Operated the Christmas Outdoor rink in Centenary Square Birmingham. Planet Ice moved the Head Office to new premises at Windsor House Lichfield.

Cardiff Ice Rink - 2006

Constructed and operated the ice rink in Cardiff Bay on behalf of Cardiff Council and the International Sports Village

Cannock, Altrincham, Gosport Ice Rinks - 2007

The Cannock rink was opened on 2 February; Altrincham opened on 26 February. The Gosport rink had been owned by Planet Ice since 1997, but due to contractual reasons had been operated by a third party. In 2007 the Gosport rink came under the Planet Ice brand.

Aquasplash & Ice Rink Hemel Hempstead - 2008

Acquired both the water park and the ice rink on 18 September. Aquasplash retained its name and the ice rink was renamed to Planet Ice.

Planet Ice Gillingham - 2010

Acquired Gillingham Ice Bowl on 31 March.

Planet Ice Brixton - 2011

Opened a temporary ice rink on 19 December whilst Streatham Ice Rink was being built.

Cinebowl & Widnes - 2012

Acquired an eight-lane bowling, and three-screen cinema complex. This was then extended to a newly constructed ice rink. Widnes was built and opened in December.

Planet Ice Milton Keynes - 2014

Planet Ice moved from Windsor House to the Muckley Corner. October saw the opening of the new flagship arena in Milton Keynes and also the acquisition of Milton Keynes Ice Hockey team.

Solihull & Blackburn - 2015

17 October was the acquisition of Solihull Ice Rink. On 30 November Blackburn Arena was acquired.

Planet Ice Leeds - 2020

Built and operated by Planet Ice and opened on 30 January, two months before the national lockdown for due to the COVID-19 pandemic

Planet Ice Bristol - 2021

Built and operated by Planet Ice and opened in October 2021.

Former arenas

Planet Ice Birmingham in Birmingham, West Midlands, closed in 2014 for redevelopment of the site to apartments.

Planet Ice operated Ryde Arena as “Planet Ice Isle of Wight” in Ryde, Isle of Wight was sold in March 2015.

Until March 2022 Planet Ice also operated a rink in Cannock, Staffordshire. This rink was closed due to the lease coming to an end

Future developments

Planet Ice are currently working on mixed usage arenas in Manchester and Dudley.

The TraffordCity ice arena will be Planet Ice’s biggest venue in the UK and their 15th Ice Arena in the UK. The purpose-built facility will feature a state-of-the-art ice rink, which will also convert into a multi-use event space.

The Dudley rink will be situated in Flood Street, Dudley and will also be an ice rink and multi-use event space.

Senior management structure

In 2019 the management structure moved from Regional Managers to a Senior Management Team with the following departments

Chief Operations Officer
Assistant Chief Operations Officer
Chief Compliance Officer
Head of Group Product Development
Head Of Group Maintenance
Head Of Group Food and Beverage
Head of Group Events

Head office structure

Group Accountant
Head Of Group Administration
Marketing
Group I.T. and online Developers

Public ice skating

Planet Ice offers public skating sessions across all its locations, providing a fun environment for skaters of all ages and skill levels. These sessions are ideal for individuals, families, and groups looking to enjoy a leisurely skate. Special events and themed skating sessions are often held to enhance the experience.

Learn to Skate

The Learn to Skate programs at Planet Ice cater to beginners and those looking to improve their skills.

Skate Excellence: A structured program designed to teach basic to advanced skating skills, focusing on balance, control, and technique.

Hockey Excellence: Aimed at developing fundamental hockey skills, this program includes stick handling, shooting, and game play strategies.

Show and Skate: Combines figure skating techniques with performance skills, encouraging creativity and presentation.

3&5 Day Camps: Intensive camps that offer concentrated instruction over three or five days, perfect for skaters looking to quickly advance their skills.

Birthday parties

Planet Ice offers a unique "Out of This World" themed birthday party package, perfect for creating memorable experiences. The package includes an ice skating session, a dedicated party host ensures the event runs smoothly, managing all activities and attending to the guests' needs. The package also includes a meal, typically featuring kid-friendly options like pizza or hot dogs, along with drinks. This all-inclusive package simplifies planning for parents, as Planet Ice takes care of every detail to ensure a hassle-free celebration.

Membership

Membership programs that Planet Ice offer include:

Ice Card Membership: A annual membership, where the purchaser gets discounts on public skating, lessons, double discounts on selected dates and exclusive discounts and cashback on high street brands with Planet Ice Rewards.

Patch Membership: A 12-month specialised membership for figure skaters, offering unlimited exclusive ice time for practice and training.

Ice hockey

Planet Ice is the sponsor of the NIHL National Ice Hockey League, and has a large amount of teams playing out of their buildings.

Manchester Storm | Location: Planet Ice Altrincham | League: EIHL | Website: manchesterstorm.com

Basingstoke Bison | Location: Planet Ice Basingstoke | League: NIHL | Website: bstokebison.co.uk

Blackburn Hawks | Location: Blackburn | League: NIHL | Website: blackburnhawks.com

Bristol Pitbulls | Location: Bristol | League: NIHL | Website: bristolpitbulls.co.uk

Coventry Blaze | Location: Coventry | League: EIHL | Website: coventryblaze.co.uk

Invicta Dynamos | Location: Gillingham | League: NIHL | Website: invictadynamos.co.uk

Solent Devils | Location: Gosport | League: NIHL | Website: solentdevils.co.uk

Leeds Knights | Location: Leeds | League: NIHL | Website: leedsknights.com

Milton Keynes Lightning | Location: Milton Keynes | League: NIHL | Website: mk-lightning.co.uk

Peterborough Phantoms | Location: Peterborough | League: NIHL | Website: gophantoms.co.uk

Solihull Barons | Location: Solihull | League: NIHL | Website: solihull-barons.net/new

Widnes Wild | Location: Planet Ice Widnes | League: NIHL | Website: widneswild.co.uk

Events

Planet Ice hosts a variety of events, including hockey tournaments, figure skating competitions, boxing competitions, and music events, catering to a wide range of interests and audiences. These events engage the local community and provide entertainment for all ages. Additionally, Planet Ice offers facilities for private hire, making it an ideal venue for various types of gatherings. The venue's adaptability allows it to serve as a hub for both sports and entertainment, attracting regular visitors and special event organisers alike.

Skating Stars

The Skating Stars program is an introductory figure skating initiative aimed at young skaters, teaching them the basics of figure skating in a fun and supportive environment. This program helps children develop confidence and a love for the sport.

Bursary program

Planet Ice's bursary program offers financial assistance to young athletes who demonstrate potential in ice sports but may face financial barriers. This initiative supports access to coaching, equipment, and ice time.

Internal competitions

Planet Ice organises internal competitions such as the Artistic Competition and the Spin Spiral Jump contest. These events provide skaters with the opportunity to showcase their skills in a friendly and competitive setting.

Inclusive Skating

Planet Ice is committed to making ice sports accessible to everyone through its Inclusive Skating program. This initiative provides opportunities for individuals with various abilities to participate in ice skating and hockey. The program includes specialised competitions, which are designed to accommodate different skill levels and disabilities, ensuring a supportive and inclusive environment for all participants. Additionally, Planet Ice offers Sledge Hockey, an adapted form of ice hockey for players with physical disabilities, utilising specialised equipment. This comprehensive approach reflects Planet Ice's dedication to fostering inclusivity in the sport. The initiatives are part of the broader efforts overseen by Matt Lloyd, the Chief Compliance Officer.

Successful skaters

Planet Ice has been a training ground for numerous successful skaters, many of whom have achieved recognition on the international circuit and in professional shows. Notable alumni include legendary figures like John Curry, an Olympic gold medalist known for his artistic grace and technical precision, and Planet Ice Ambassador Wilf O'Reilly MBE, a champion speed skater who won 2 gold medals at the 1988 Olympics for GB, overall World champion in 1991 and current coach of the Netherlands Short Track team.

In addition to these established names, a number of skaters currently competing internationally and performing in shows have trained at Planet Ice facilities. These skaters have often come through the venue's own developmental programs, which are designed to nurture talent from the grassroots level to professional excellence. Planet Ice's commitment to inclusive skating has also been reflected in the achievements of skaters with disabilities, who have excelled in national and international competitions, showcasing the accessibility and effectiveness of these programs.

This track record underscores Planet Ice's role not only as a community sports facility but also as a cradle of talent that contributes significantly to the ice sports arena both in the UK and globally.

Governing bodies

Planet Ice operates under the guidance of key governing bodies in the UK. These include:

English Ice Hockey Association (EIHA): Oversees ice hockey in England, managing development from grassroots to elite levels.

British Ice Skating (BIS): Governs figure skating, speed skating, and synchronised skating across the UK, supporting growth and regulation.

Ice Hockey UK (IHUK): The national body for ice hockey in the UK, coordinating national teams and international representation.

References

External links

Planet Ice official website