Yahoo News 'Britain's worst ice rink': Parents slam tiny festive attraction in Sports Direct carpark
Is this Britain’s worst ice rink?
Families have been left cold by this tiny festive attraction after it was erected in a car park surrounded by metal fencing.
The square rink is opposite a branch of Sports Direct at the back of a shopping centre.
It that wasn’t bad enough, just five people can use it at one time, apparently due to health and safety concerns.
The attraction, which is the size of an average driveway, features two model penguins and two life-size toy soldiers.
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Customers are charged £3 for a 20-minute session on the tiny rink which is behind the Three Spires shopping centre in Lichfield, Staffordshire.
The shopping centre runs the Ice Magic attraction, which is open every Thursday, Saturday and Sunday until December 23.
The eagerly anticipated festive attraction formally opened las week, but has been met by a torrent of criticism on social media.
Parents claim it has not frozen properly leading to children skating “through slush” while others simply brand it “rubbish”.
Writing on Facebook, Suz Neill said: “I have to say that it’s a great idea and glad Lichfield did it but if you’re over 4ft tall you’re not going to do a lot of skating on a postage stamp ice rink.
“Great for the kiddies, would have been nicer if bigger.”
Rich Parsons said: “Five people at a time due to health and safety, I bet! My mid-terrace house garden’s wider than that!”
Baffled mum Lindsey Marie Fosu said: “It’s plastic and lots of puddles on it.
“Really excited to try it with my daughter, but only lasted five minutes due to excess water and leaves on it. A bit disappointing.”
David Crisp commented: “Thought someone had dumped a whiteboard.”
David Trivett said: “Ice rink? I’ve slipped on a bigger frozen puddle.”
Dad-of-two David Harris, 45, said: “It’s like something from Peter Kay’s Phoenix Nights. My kids said the rink was slushy and they got bored after two minutes.
“My eight-year-old daughter came off after her turn and just said ‘it’s rubbish.’ I have to say I agree.”
Lisa Prokopiou, spokesperson for Three Spires Shopping Centre, said: “The ice rink is effectively a free event in the fact that shoppers are able to redeem receipts for spend of £20 or more with Three Spires Shopping Centre retailers for free skating sessions for two.
“The event is aimed primarily at children with penguin skating aids available for the younger skater, although all are welcome to skate.
“So as not to exclude shoppers, skating sessions are also available at £3 per 20 minute session.
“Three Spires Shopping Centre does not have a dedicated promotional or events area, we are in fact similar to a pedestrianised high street.
“We have utilised our Centre Management Office car park to bring this event to shoppers to add to the Christmas shopping experience.
“We feel sure that both adults and children alike will enjoy this addition to what is already a very attractive shopping experience here in Lichfield.”
