THE promoter behind this summer’s cancelled Olly Murs gig was also part of a bid to operate Bournemouth’s ice rink.

The annual Christmas rink is now open for business, although developer THIS Event Co is still awaiting planning permission.

The council said earlier this week, as it had said last week, that an approval by planning officers was expected imminently.

Meanwhile a council cabinet member has told the Echo the delay is the knock-on effect of a separate bid to run the rink made by Stephen McManus in the spring.

Mr McManus and his company Stephen C Associates hit headlines when it went bust this summer, leaving thousands of Olly Murs ticket holders out of pocket.

Town centre Councillor David Smith, cabinet member for planning, said: “There was also a second bid to do the ice rink, going up against THIS Event Co.

“They both wanted it and it went on and on.

“Because of this we got the decision later in the day and it took longer for them to get the application in.

“There are no problems or issues, a decision will be going out some time this week.

"The company has not been hanging around with it as there was a lot of work to do.

Mr McManus confirmed to the Echo that he was "part of a consortium" which put in a bid to operate the rink, although the council eventually declined to take it up.

The Olly Murs gig was due to be held in King’s Park on Saturday, August 5.

However only weeks before, with many tickets having been sold, Stephen C Associates released a statement on the Olly in the Park website announcing the concert was cancelled and they would be unable to offer refunds to all the ticket-holders.

Since then a liquidator appointed to oversee the firm’s affairs has been refunding Murs fans, who were also offered replacement tickets to gigs elsewhere.

Cllr Smith had called in the ice rink to be discussed by the planning board, should officers have been minded to refuse it.

In a submission to the board he said: “It needs to be granted as the ice rink is an important strategic leisure offer to the town to ensure a full Xmas programme is deliverable.”

There was a delay in its receiving planning permission last year as well, in part due to delays in the submission of the application.

The rink is the largest ever hosted by the Lower Gardens, situated on the former Bournemouth Balloon site.

It includes a second nursery rink for young families, and an alpine-themed après skate café and bar.

It will operate from Thursday November 16 to Tuesday January 2, excluding Christmas Day, with hour long skating sessions available between 10.30am and 10pm.

THIS Event Co said in its application that is plans to cater for a minimum of 20,000 skaters over the period the rink is in the gardens, "but we are hopeful of attracting nearer to 30,000".