The first ice rink in Preston city centre for nearly a decade has begun to set up.
Preston On Ice is taking over the space on the Lancaster Road end of the Outdoor Markets.
The 400 metres square rink is going in the space where the city’s market traders had been and is to run until early January.
Read more: Preston Box Market traders unite over ‘toxic market’, temporary fences and demand action
Operated by DNK Event Services the rink will be able to accommodate 60 skaters at any one time.
It runs daily from 11am to 9pm on weekdays and a 10am start on weekends and peak days in the run up to Christmas and is due to see the first skaters from Saturday 22 November – the day Preston’s Christmas lights are switched on.
Preston market traders said they felt duped by by the city council – who authorised the ice rink – when they were told they would need to move due to the works which have now begun on nearby Amounderness House.
The ice rink was announced by the council in the lead up to the relocation of the traders who have shifted to under the Earl Street market and Orchard Street end of the covered market but have been beset by cramped spaces and adverse weather conditions.
Last week Blog Preston revealed all the outdoor traders are to have their rent waived to cover the period of the ice rink operating and the council was also actively exploring returning the outdoor market to the Lancaster Road trading space once the ice rink finishes.
Support Blog Preston: Keep our community reporting going and view the website without any adverts too. Sign up for a membership today.
Stay updated: Keep in touch directly with the latest headlines from Blog Preston, join our WhatsApp channel and subscribe for our twice-a-week email newsletter. Both free and direct to your phone and inbox. Help us report too, by contacting us if you see something we should be reporting on.
Read more: See the latest Preston news and headlines
