Preston will see the return of an ice rink to the city centre in the run up to Christmas for the first time in over a decade.
A pop-up ice rink is being planned for under the Outdoor Market canopy on the Lancaster Road end in the weeks leading up to Christmas.
The space currently used by the outdoor traders is potentially going to be used for other temporary events in the years ahead too while the traders are relocated – a move which has riled the market stallholders.
Read more: Amended proposals needed for Amounderness House scheme
The city council has been accused of ‘double standards’ by Market traders who are being moved across to under the smaller Earl Street/Box Market space until 2027 due to what the city council say are ‘health and safety reasons’ linked to the nearby works beginning on Amounderness House.
Getting skates on again
The Lancaster Road space will become a 400 metres square ice rink and accommodate up to 60 skaters at a time.
Preston’s last ice rink was the Winter Wonderland during 2014 which used to be on the Flag Market and saw an ice rink put on Harris Street between the Sessions House and the Harris Museum. It had to be moved from the Flag Market itself due to vandalism.
This new rink will be in place from 22 November to 4 January 2026 and open from 11am to 9pm each day. The ice rink will open from 10am on weekends and other ‘peak days’ to be confirmed.
A skating session for what’s to be known as Preston On Ice will starting from £10 per person and need to be booked online. Bookings are not yet open via the Preston On Ice website and there will be concessionary discounts available as well.
A designated changing facility and disability aids are being offered and the price includes skate hire or avid skaters can bring their own.
Alongside the ice rink a ‘mini festive village’ with ‘ski chalet-style cabins’ serving food and drinks.
Director at DNK event services who will operate Preston On Ice, David Krol, said: “Whether you’re an avid skater practising your pirouettes or a first-timer hugging the rail, the rink caters for all ages and skating levels.
“We are thrilled to be making our home under the iconic Preston Markets canopy for the festive season, where visitors can make a full day of it, soaking up the Christmas lights and city centre decorations, and close to all the shopping, entertainment and food and drink venues the city has to offer.”
Cabinet member for resources and deputy leader of the Labour-run city council, councillor Martyn Rawlinson, said: “Preston On Ice is a great addition to our Christmas events programme that’s guaranteed to boost footfall and visitors to the city centre throughout the busy Christmas shopping period.”
Council accused of ‘double standards’
Long-standing trader Michael Stott said traders were upset at the move which is due to take place by the end of October.
He said: “The reason they give for us having to move is health and safety and limited vehicle access and yet this is the self and same access for the events, this appears to be totally double standards.
“Also the area they propose to move us to they have told us there is no where to load and unload, does this not also come under the compass of health and safety.”
This week Derek’s Books quit the city’s outdoor market, after 48 years of trading, in protest at the relocation to under the Earl Street canopy which will be a smaller space for traders to work from.
The city council announced in March it was consulting with traders over the move as the area around Earl Street and Lancaster Road is due to see building works begin soon for the Amounderness House scheme which will last until Spring 2027.
Defending the use of the space for the ice rink, a statement from the city council repeated a previous comment made last month about the need for the traders to move being linked to the volume of vehicle movements.
A city council spokesperson said: “The use of the outdoor space under Preston Markets follows the temporary relocation of the Outdoor Market to the Box Market during construction at Amounderness House.
“Traders have been relocated during this time to limit the number of vehicle movements in the vicinity which would prove difficult due to restricted access around the site and result in a potential extension of the construction period.
“The safety of the traders and their customers remains a top priority. Use of the outdoor area for other events which involve limited vehicle access during this time can be managed safely.”
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