DERBY’S CATHEDRAL QUARTER 3AAA ICE RINK PROVIDES FESTIVE FUN
The success of the Cathedral Quarter 3aaa Ice Rink has seen thousands flock to Derby’s Market Place over the Christmas period.
This year the provision of the ice rink was made possible by a new sponsorship agreement between the Cathedral Quarter Business Improvement District (BID), Derby-based national training and apprenticeship provider 3aaa, Derby City Council, and ice rink providers Showplace. This unique partnership will support the attraction for the next three years giving it a strong future in the city centre.
Now in its seventh year, Derby’s ice rink has been a big hit in the past and this year has proved to be no exception. Running between Thursday 1 December and Wednesday 4 January, skaters were encouraged to get into the festive spirit with a range of theme nights and equipment such as penguins and bananas, allowing people of all ages and experience to have a go. Over 16,000 visitors put on their skates and took to the ice, including over 8,000 children.
Leader of Derby City Council, Cllr Ranjit Banwait, said: “Thanks to the sponsorship from these organisations we are able to put together one of the key attractions in Derby over the Christmas period. The ice rink has become a huge draw over the years, offering the opportunity to enjoy a skate on real ice and get in to the festive spirit.
“It’s about making Derby a great place, to live, work and visit. The co-operation shown in this partnership has helped to ensure the continuation of this much-loved attraction. This is a brilliant example of partnerships working together with business to help provide and develop cultural events in the city and giving it a strong future.”
Peter Marples, CEO of 3aaa, said: “3aaa Apprenticeships are hugely proud of the success of the ice rink this year. The benefits for the community of Derby was precisely the reason we saw there to be importance in safeguarding the future of this Christmas attraction, as it provides a much needed boost to customers who are out and about in Derby as well as business activity throughout the festive period.
“We even saw how busy all the car parks were in Derby this year every day during December, which is a representation of how Derby is once again becoming an exciting festive shopping destination.”
Martin Langsdale, chair of the Cathedral Quarter Board and Management Group, which drives forward activities under the area's BID status, said: “This year’s ice rink would not have taken place without the Cathedral Quarter BID’s involvement. The BID is all about additionality and a key objective of the BID Business Plan is to work with businesses and organisations to organise events which create a more animated feel and attract and extend the length of stay of visitors to the Cathedral Quarter – voted winner of the ‘City Location’ category at the recent Great British High Street Awards. The ice rink is a crucial part of this over the festive period and we look forward to welcoming the rink back to the Cathedral Quarter over the next two years.”
Tickets will soon be on sale for Christmas 2017 - it’s never too early to book for this fantastic festive treat – visit derbylive.co.uk to find out more.