Booking open for Guildhall Square ice skating rink

Skate Portsmouth is bringing the 646sq m creation to life in just over a fortnight and spaces are now available to book.

Portsmouth City Council gave the green light to the proposals earlier this year, with THIS Events Co Ltd signing a six-year deal to transform the square into a winter wonderland until 2023.

The rink will be surrounded by Christmas trees, with a wooden chalet bar to be built next to the civic offices.

Tickets for adults are £9 with children able to skate for £8. Family tickets are £31. It will cost £8.50 for students.

Construction on the rink will get under way within the next few days with skating due to start from November 18 and finish on January 2.

The rink will be big enough for 215 skaters per session.Sessions will be for one hour and the rink will be open from 10.30am until 11pm, with up to nine sessions taking place every day.

Speaking at the time of submitting the application, a spokeswoman for Skate Portsmouth said: ‘We thought Guildhall Square would be the perfect location for the ice rink given the layout of the square and having the Guildhall as a magnificent backdrop. It is also entirely flat and a perfect open space right in the city centre.

‘We know about the council’s plans to regenerate the centre and feel this would assist in that by driving more people to what is already a very busy spot.’

Councillor Linda Symes has expressed her excitement for the ice rink.

She said: ‘These plans would be a real boost to the city centre and bring a lot of people into the square.

‘The square is already really busy but this will give it a nice festive buzz and also drive people to shop in Commercial Road.’

Tickets are also available to book for the Moguls bar which will have a range of drinks, food, cosy armchairs, live entertainment and other goodies.

For more information on the bar or to book tickets for the ice skating rink visit iceskateportsmouth.co.uk.