Chorley To Get Ice Rink

Chorley town centre is to get a temporary ice rink in a bid to give the pre-Christmas trade a boost.
The ice rink - which will use synthetic ice - will be located in Cleveland Street near the covered market for three days beween November 28-30.

It will coincide with a Dickensian-themed Christmas lights switch-on ceremony on November 29.

A similar open-air ice rink was used at this year's Adlington Carnival although it was hit by bad weather.

The attraction will be eight metres by nine metres in size and is thought to be the first one in Chorley town centre.

Although it doesn't use real ice, the synthetic surface is said to be very similar and revellers will be able to use hired skates in 20-minute slots.

Peter Wilding, chairman of Chorley and District Chamber of Commerce, said: "It's a lot of fun and people will enjoy the fact that it's different. It's an example of people thinking outside the box and I'm sure the children will enjoy it."

The cost of using the ice rink has has not been announced.

Coun Peter Malpas, Chorley Council's executive member (business) said: "The ice rink is literally the 'icing' on the cake for Chorley's Christmas Celebrations and we hope it will attract lots of people and help boost business in the run up to Christmas. "

"The council wanted to do something that we've never done before and we're sure many people will have fun ice-skating in the town centre.

"The ice rink is a new addition this year but we've not forgotten about some of the traditional favourites like Father Christmas who will be in Santa's Grotto at Market Walk and some special Christmas market stalls and festive food.

"It should be a really good start to the Christmas period, so bring all the family and get some Christmas shopping out the way at the same time."

Article originally featured on www.chorley-guardian.co.uk