APRIL FOOL'S STORY: Ice rink to open in Chesterfield Hotel basement

The massive Malkin Street building - which has been empty since 2015 - may soon be a hive of activity again.

A reliable source said this morning: "A wealthy businessman from Hasland has spent the last few months monitoring the DT's Facebook page and seen the many hundreds of messages calling for an ice rink in the town.

"He agrees with Brenda from Boythorpe that such a facility would 'solve all the towns many problemz'.

"Brenda also said 'an ice rink has got my full support 100% all the way' so the businessman sent her a PM asking if she'd be willing to help fund the project - but she hasn't replied yet. She's seen the message, though.

"Anyway, he's currently in the process of preparing a planning application for the ice rink.

"If all goes according to plan, it'll open on this very date next year."

The source added: "The businessman reckons Greggs is interested in launching a store across the first, second and third floors - so folk can have a sausage roll and a coffee then come into the basement and skate the calories off."