THE owner of Bradford's ice rink says the venue can play a big part in the city's regeneration after a 'sparkling' new sign was installed.

Krystyna Rogers is celebrating the Bradford Ice Arena being put back on the map, ahead of next year's 50th anniversary of the city having the venue.

The rink in Little Horton Lane has had £14,000 spent on the sign and new doors, with help from Bradford Council.

The authority stumped up £7,000 of the cash through a regeneration grant that Miss Rogers applied for.

"This sign is putting the sparkle back into Bradford's ice rink - and we have only just started," said Miss Rogers, who added that there will be more signs around the city pointing people towards the ice rink.

"I am very excited and optimistic - it says 'look we are here'. We can play an important part in the regeneration of Bradford. We are right in the city centre, near things like our beautiful City Park.

"Bradford was always the poor sister to Leeds, but we don't have to be."

Miss Rogers called on the public to make use of the ice rink, which employs between 35 and 40 staff and is home to about 250 youngsters who are members of ice hockey and figure skating teams.

She recognised the need for improvements inside the building, but said the new sign is the start of the project.

"The sign provides a better awareness that we are here and open for business," said Miss Rogers, who in 2013 won the Sue Ryder Woman of Achievement in Business award. "We want people to please come and support us. We can only improve by having the income to improve - the general public are the core of our business.

"Next year we are celebrating 50 years of having an ice rink in Bradford - and it is so important to keep it in Bradford. It is for people of all ages, from families to sports teams."

Miss Rogers, 67, took on the running of the ice rink in 1991, and had it re-opened within weeks of Rank Leisure closing the facility, investing her savings to resurrect it.

Council leader, Councillor David Green, said: “The ice rink is important to quite a number of local people who use it for sport and for leisure, particularly young people.

“I am really pleased that we can support the commitment an enthusiasm of the owners of the ice rink in some way and I hope people will give it a try. It is an enjoyable way to spend a couple of hours.

“We might find the next Torvill and Dean if people can get down there.”