Rink to return as council extends contract for 2024

CHELTENHAM looks likely to get an ice rink again for Christmas this year as civic chiefs approve extending the contract for another 12 months.

The ice rink welcomed 31,000 visitors and brought in £1.6 million to the town’s economy last year, according to council leaders.

Cheltenham Borough Council says £388,961 was spent to deliver the rink, not including staff time, and while expenditure exceeded income in 2023/24 by £74,000, their forecast for 2024/25 shows a reduced investment of around £22,000 will be needed.

Council leader Rowena Hay (LD, Oakley) told cabinet that the ice rink set new standards for the town and the wider events industry.

She said the ice rink brought £860,000 in spend from visitors.

“New jobs were created during the Christmas period and other jobs were supported,” she said. “We pledged we would not use traditional diesel generators and we kept that pledge.

“Instead with the vegetable oil and battery power method provided in partnership with a business in Imperial Square we reduced the carbon footprint by 98 per cent compared to the 2021 ice rink on the same site.

“The case study is being shared as an example of best practice helping other areas reduce their carbon footprint from events.

“There will be a variation of the planning permission granted last year while the council works with National Grid with long-term ambition to install electrical infrastructure in the gardens.”

Councillor Flo Clucas (LD, Swindon Village) said 600 children who would never have been able to afford that experience were able to go to the rink.

“Those who are disabled and couldn’t go were given that opportunity too,” she said. “We do things for children in this town that most places can’t do because the town is run for the benefit of the people not big business or those who could accrue power from what they do.”

Cllr Victoria Atherstone (LD, St Peters) said it was fabulous that there were no complaints about noise and that the council was using innovative technology to provide the ice rink.

Cabinet agreed to lead on the delivery of an ice rink for the 2024/25 Christmas season, subject to securing planning permission, and approved extending the contract for delivery and management of the rink at Imperial Gardens.