Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
Taxpayers to plug £72k hole as ice rink ticket sales flop
Council reveals income ‘significantly lower than expected’ at attraction
A Christmas ice rink in Canterbury has left the city council £72,000 in the red after ticket sales flopped.
The local authority has admitted income generated from the festive attraction was “significantly lower” than expected leaving taxpayers footing the bill to break even.
But despite the disappointing numbers, the council plans to have a second and third stab at the project as it looks to run a rink in the Dane John Gardens for the next two years. Hopeful authority officers say reviews of the venue were “overwhelmingly positive” and believe they now have good grounding to turn the temporary attraction into a money-maker.
They forecast a 16% increase in ticket sales for year two, and 20% in year three.
A report on the project was shared this week with city councillors, who are due to discuss proposals over its future on Monday.
Written by head of commercial and cultural development Caroline Cooper, the review focuses on both what went well and not so well.
It reads: “The late decision to proceed with the rink led to a significant number of potential opportunities being missed, as well as the initial cynicism from the general public about whether it would indeed materialise. Neither of these challenges would be in existence in year two.
“While there is a small number of final bills outstanding, the delivery costs for Canterbury on Ice appear to have been broadly in line with the forecast, and final costs are expected to be about £8,000 under budget. “However, lower than expected ticket revenues and concessions rental income has meant that the final income is significantly lower than forecast. Giving a final subsidy level of approximately £72,000.” The council blames slow ticket sales on previous bad press for its failed attempts to launch the skating arena by private sector providers in 2017 and 2018. It also says sponsorship sales did not pick up until the rinkbuild was well underway. In total, more than 16,000 people took to the ice during
December, with 46.5% coming from outside the district. Tickets were £12.50 per adult, £9 per child, or £38 for a family ticket. Ms Cooper adds: “The licensing authorities had concerns about the event attracting increased levels of anti-social behaviour into the park. This led to stringent licensing conditions limiting the offer and incurring increased costs for security officers.”
In planning ahead for this year, the council will look to install CCTV and provide better lighting in the Dane John. It also wants to install power units in the gardens in a bid to tackle climate concerns. Last year, two generators powered the rink by churning through 25,300 litres of diesel, while estimated water usage was 46,000 litres, but the final water bill has not yet been received. In total, there were 48 incidents on the ice - with the majority resulting in cuts or bruises. Six people did however suffer suspected fractures or dislocations, one of which was deemed “severe” and required an ambulance called to site.
News of the council’s subsidy has angered residents. Gareth Hutchings wrote on Facebook: “They have the unlimited supply of public money to prop up their appalling business acumen. £72k in the red ..... walk away.
“CCC you tried, you failed, leave it alone.”
Kerry Hilden added: “Make it cheaper and more people will use it!!
“Like Dreamland roller skating. £4 a person and was completely at capacity in half-term.” ■ What do you think? Email kentishgazette@thekmgroup.co.uk.
‘The late decision to proceed with the rink led to a significant number of potential opportunities being missed’