The company operating the Harrogate Ice Rink has revealed it won’t be returning to the town this year.
York-based Events by Cynosure is running the rink in collaboration with Destination Harrogate, North Yorkshire Council’s tourism body, in Crescent Gardens.
The venture is in the second of a three-year deal between the two organisations.
However, John Lowery, chief operating officer at Events by Cynosure, told the Stray Ferret the ice rink will not be returning for the next festive season. He said:
“We have no plans to return for 2024 due to the losses sustained this year from the weather and lack of footfall in the area.”
The news comes after the company faced criticism from customers about the condition of the ice and poor customer service.
The Stray Ferret reported yesterday on complaints from some unhappy customers, one of whom described the surface as “extremely dangerous” and said the “rusty blades” had not been maintained.
One customer described the rink as “wet and rippled”.
Mr Lowery said the company had “suffered like all outdoor ice rinks” following adverse weather conditions throughout December, which led it to close eight times in just over a month.
The rink opened on December 1 and will run until Sunday, January 7.
The Stray Ferret asked North Yorkshire Council to respond to the complaints made by readers and also whether it would comment on Events by Cynosure’s announcement that its deal would end a year early. But it declined to comment.
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Harrogate Ice Rink organiser responds to complaints
The company operating Harrogate Ice Rink has responded to complaints about the condition of the ice and slow refunds.
York-based Events by Cynosure is running the rink in collaboration with North Yorkshire Council tourism body Destination Harrogate.
It opened in Crescent Gardens on December 1 but adverse weather has led to its closure eight times since then – including today (January 2).
The rink’s Facebook page has received numerous critical comments from people who have struggled to get refunds. Others have complained about the wet surface.
One unhappy customer, who asked to remain anonymous, claimed the conditions were unsuitable for skating on December 20.
In a letter to the organisers seen by the Stray Ferret, he said:
“The ice and surface were extremely dangerous, wet, rippled and extremely slippery and not maintained and far from the standard of an ice rink.
“For example, no one was able to let go of the side rails and people left the ice…raising a significant health and safety issue.”
He said he asked to speak to a manager at about 6.40pm to voice his concerns about the state of the ice only to be told the manager had “left the site and was unavailable to speak to”, adding:
“Others were also raising the same concerns – staff were unable to assist and had no authority to provide refunds or offer solutions.”
In the same letter, he also said he later approached a staff member wearing “management” uniform (pictured below) who “denied being management and would not make comment”, while “watching football on his iPhone”.
The customer said the man pictured “denied being management”.
The man also claimed the quality of footwear was “extremely poor” and that “rusty blades” had not been maintained.
The man pictured his “rusty” skates.
He today told the Stray Ferret he has “heard nothing at all” since sending the letter on December 21.
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Others have also voiced concerns. Local resident Emma Alderson’s booking was cancelled on Christmas Eve following a yellow weather warning.
Events by Cynosure said the “safety of our skaters is priority” and “all tickets will remain valid until the 7th January should you wish to visit us after Christmas”. However, Ms Alderson has struggled to get a refund since. In a response to the company seen by the Stray Ferret, she wrote:
“Thank you so much for blocking me on the Facebook page. Why keep posting and not reply to people who are trying to rebook?
“Such a bad, poor and disgusting service you offer!”
Despite asking for a refund, Ms Alderson today said she has “had no update from them at all”.
Rink is ‘suitable to skate’
John Lowery, chief operating officer at Events by Cynosure, told the Stray Ferret it was “aware of complaints in regard to the ice rink”. Mr Lowery added:
“In regards to the ice rink being wet we have suffered like all outdoor ice rinks in the country from some of the warmest temperatures and heaviest rain with two named storms alone.
“At no time have we operated the rink when not suitable to skate. We have offered customers the opportunity to come back on another date if they attended when wet.
“Our technical team have worked through the nights etc to make it as good as possible.
“As for refunds these take up to 10 days from when requested and are being processed for any sessions that we have cancelled that the customer cannot change the date until.
“Due to holidays our office was closed over Christmas Day, Boxing Day but we can assure people will be refunded where entitled.”
Harrogate Ice Rink, which debuted in 2022, is part of a three-year deal between Events By Cynosure and Destination Harrogate.
It is set to run until Sunday, January 7, but with just two dry days forecast until then, the weather may continue to have an impact.
GALLERY: Harrogate Christmas Fayre gets underway
Harrogate Christmas Fayre opened today to ensure the town is in full festive swing.
The fayre, which is organised by Greater Manchester events company Market Place and tourism organisation Destination Harrogate, includes town centre stalls selling foods, gifts, and homeware.
There are also fairground rides near the war memorial and children’s entertainment, as well as the Candy Cane Express road train and an open-top bus tour.
The fayre also includes the Harrogate Ice Rink in Crescent Gardens, where there is also a bar and alpine tipi, as well as a carousel, bungee jump and children’s stalls.
The fayre is open daily until December 17, and the ice rink runs until January 7.
Here are some photos from the opening day.
Pic: Stephen Garnett.
Harrogate pantomime’s Naail Ishaq & Tim Stedman
The Summerbridge and Dacre Silver Band playing on the open-top bus. Pic: Stephen Garnett
The Enchantica’s Christmas Choir
The Harrogate Ice Rink
Pic: Stephen Garnett.
The Candy Cane Express road train
Crescent Gardens.
The open-top tour bus.
The alpine tipi in Crescent Gardens.
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Harrogate Christmas Fayre takes shape ahead of return this week
The installation of Harrogate Christmas Fayre is underway ahead of its return this week.
The fayre, which will run for 17 days, will feature 50 trade stalls around Cambridge Street selling festive food and drink, gifts, jewellery, homeware and more.
There will also be carol singers and live entertainment.
Families also can look forward to the return of the Candy Cane Express road train, which takes them on a ride around the town centre, as well as an open-top bus with a tour guide to learn about Harrogate‘s landmarks.
The Candy Cane Express. Credit: Smart Avenue Media
The Christmas fayre was extended to run over three weekends, rather than two as previously, in April this year.
Organisers Destination Harrogate and Market Place Europe announced the news after local hoteliers and businesses called for an extension to support them further.
In the announcement, John McGivern, events manager at Destination Harrogate, said the extension would provide “an excellent opportunity to boost our visitor economy even further at a crucial time of year.”
The Harrogate Christmas Fayre will return on Friday, December 1.
It will run from 10am – 7pm from Monday to Saturday, and 11am – 4pm on Sundays.
Harrogate Ice Rink. Credit: Smart Avenue Media
Harrogate Ice Rink, which will also return on Friday, will be in Crescent Gardens along with a carousel, bungee trampolines and game stalls as part of the fayre.
In addition, the festive Little Bird Market can be found in Harrogate’s Valley Gardens on Saturdays and Sundays between 2 and 17 December.
Read our Christmas market guide here to find out which festive events are happening near you.
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Harrogate ice rink installation gets underway
Work to install the Harrogate Ice Rink in Crescent Gardens is underway ahead of its return for the festive period.
Crescent Gardens has been fenced off to prepare the site for its opening in 10 days.
The rink, which debuted last year, was set up by Events by Cynosure in collaboration with Destination Harrogate – the North Yorkshire Council tourism organisation.
Events by Cynosure has a three-year deal to operate the rink as part of the Harrogate Christmas Fayre, which will also be returning next week.
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This year, there will also be an outdoor bar, food stalls and a tipi with an indoor seating area.
A carousel, bungee trampolines, a frozen swing and game stalls will also be on offer for children to enjoy.
The ice rink will run daily from Friday December 1, to Sunday, January 7 2024.
Skating costs £10 per person for a one-hour session and bookings can be made now.
Masterchef star Owen Diaram to have stall at Harrogate Christmas FayreOwen Diaram, a quarter-finalist on BBC MasterChef UK 2023, has won a competition to have a stall at this year’s Harrogate Christmas Fayre.
He was named as the winner of a competition organised by the market operators to give free trading opportunities at the town centre festive market, which begins on December 1.
The winners of Market Place Europe and Destination Harrogate’s Jolly Big Business Boost competition also receive business mentoring and PR opportunities.
Mr Diaram, who was yesterday named as this year’s winner, uses his South African Indian heritage to create traditional spice packs that only need to be mixed with two ingredients to produce tasty bhajis.
Mr Diaram said he was “blown away” by being selected, adding::
‘’Harrogate has now been my home for the past eight years and I am so excited to trade at what is a truly fantastic event that will allow me to achieve my goal of bringing South African Indian cuisine to mass audiences.’’
Market manager Nick Rhodes said:
‘’The Jolly Big Business Boost is a fantastic way for local, ambitious entrepreneurs to get their foot in the door and has proven to be very successful.’’
The fayre’s opening hours are Monday to Saturday 10am to 7pm and Sunday 11:00am to 430pm.
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Harrogate Restaurant Week returns to offer discount dining
Restaurants across the Harrogate district will be offering discount deals next month, when Visit Harrogate Restaurant Week returns.
The week-long event runs from Monday, October 9, to Sunday, October 15, and will see at least 15 participating restaurants and food outlets offer set-price dining deals for £10, £15, £20 and £30. Big names taking part include Bettys, The Ivy, Hotel du Vin and the Clocktower Brasserie at Rudding Park.
This October’s Restaurant Week runs for longer than last year’s inaugural event, and incorporates Sunday, October 15, to capture the weekend visitor footfall and coincide with the Harrogate Music Weekender organised by Harrogate BID.
The weekend of October 13-15 will see live performances, street entertainers and special offers driving further footfall to Harrogate’s town centre hospitality venues.
Harrogate BID is supporting the week-long event by providing free parking in the Jubilee Car Park in Harrogate from 4pm daily until it closes.
The purpose of Restaurant Week, which is organised by Destination Harrogate, is twofold. Pre-fixed prices help diners to plan what to spend in advance, encouraging them to discover new places to eat.
It also offers businesses in the food and hospitality industry an opportunity to raise their profile. Following the first Restaurant Week in February, many participating businesses reported an increase in bookings and in footfall for the week – while also showing interest for a follow-up event later in the year.
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Helen Suckling, partnership and commercial manager for Destination Harrogate, said:
“The feedback we received from February’s event was very positive and, in extending the time that diners are given to enjoy Restaurant Week, we’re also extending the opportunity to boost business for our food and hospitality trade at a traditionally quieter time of the year.”
Customers can take advantage of the lower priced menus and food deals by visiting participating restaurants, cafés and food outlets and quoting the offer.
Gemma Rio, head of Destination Harrogate, said:
“Excellent food and drink is one of the Harrogate area’s tourism strengths and, through Restaurant Week, we’re showcasing the diversity of our dining offer.
“Restaurant Week also supports our commitment to sustainable tourism. In finding new ways to attract visitors and spread footfall across the whole year, we’re offering new opportunities to our local businesses, along with great deals to our visitors and residents alike.”
Businesses can sign up to the initiative via the Destination Harrogate website.
For information on menu offers and the dates on which they are available, see the Visit Harrogate website.
Visit Harrogate is the official tourism website for the Harrogate area of North Yorkshire. It is operated by Destination Harrogate, which is part of North Yorkshire Council.