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26
Sept
Council gives update on future of festive Harrogate Ice Rink
North Yorkshire Council has confirmed the Harrogate Ice Rink will not return this Christmas.
The council last week revealed the Christmas Fayre will be held in Harrogate for 17 days this festive season.
It said the fayre will see the food and gift stalls, land train and Ferris wheel return — but did not mention the ice rink.
The council’s tourism body Destination Harrogate had agreed a three-year deal with York-based Events by Cynosure to host the ice rink in Crescent Gardens.
The venture was in the second year of the deal between the two organisations before things came to a head last Christmas.
John Lowery, chief operating officer at Events by Cynosure, told the Stray Ferret at the time the company had “no plans to return for 2024” after adverse weather and a lack of footfall led to losses.
North Yorkshire Council declined to comment on Mr Lowery’s claims at the time.
The Stray Ferret asked the council to clarify if there were any plans for the ice rink to return.
Council leader Carl Les said:
We know how popular Harrogate is for families, especially during the festive period, and we’re delighted that the Christmas fayre is back again for 2024.
While the company behind the ice rink has opted not to return to Crescent Gardens, there will still be a great deal on offer for everyone across the fayre.
Harrogate Ice Rink last year.
The ice rink was hampered by persistent wet weather last Christmas. Events by Cynosure was criticised by residents after the rink closed eight times over the course of a month.
The rink’s Facebook page received numerous comments from people who struggled to get refunds at the time, while others claimed the conditions were unsuitable to skate on.
One unhappy customer described the conditions as “extremely dangerous” and claimed the “rusty blades” had not been maintained.
The Stray Ferret also asked the council if another organisation would take on the deal originally agreed with Events by Cynosure, but it did not respond to that enquiry.
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