Coventry ice rink opens in Broadgate

[dutchman]

Coventry's answer to New York's famous Rockefeller ice rink has opened in the city centre.


Council leader John Mutton with skaters at the Broadgate Ice Rink

Hundreds of people got their skates on and took to the ice in Broadgate as part of the city's countdown to Christmas.

And the launch of an international food and drink market featuring a Bavarian-style chalet added to the festive spirit.

Tamsin Hughes and her five-year-old son Noah were thinking about having a go as the rink opened on Saturday.

She said "It's amazing how they have done it.

"I've only ever been ice-skating once before at the Skydome. It didn't go great, I had to hold on to the edge all the time!"

She added: "I came to the Christmas lights switch-on, there was such a good atmosphere. I like how they have opened up Broadgate, it's nice to bring things like this to Coventry."

Jiman Tayar was there with her son Jhivan, eight, and daughter Dilan, six.

Jiman said: "It's the first time I've ever seen anything like this in Coventry. I like it, it's beautiful. It's refreshing to have something new."

As well as family skating sessions, there were demonstrations by young Coventry Blaze players and members of Coventry Figure Skating Club.

Figure skater Kirsty Leon, 15, said: "It was a bit nerve-wracking but the crowd was nice."

The rink is open every day from 10am to 8pm, except Christmas Day. It is part of the council's Coventry Christmas Cracker series of events and activities in the city.

Council leader John Mutton said: "I am delighted. One of the reasons we invested money into Broadgate was to hold events like this.

"I think the switching on of the lights was a marvellous thing, but that was just the beginning. We wanted people coming into town to enjoy themselves. I am looking forward to a month of activities in the city centre."