Edinburgh's annual Christmas ice rink, a festive staple for 30 years, will not return this season. Organisers confirmed the attraction on George Street will be absent from the festive programme running between November 14 and January 27.
The decision to axe the rink was made during the summer, according to organisers, due to uncertainty caused by the nearby closure of Princes Street following a fire. Edinburgh typically hosts a seven-week festival, organised by arts company Unique Assembly Ltd, which also produces the city's Hogmanay and Christmas celebrations on behalf of the City of Edinburgh Council.
Reasons Behind the Decision
A spokesperson for the company explained the challenges of planning the rink months in advance. "An ice rink requires a great deal of advance planning, with the ice rink supplier, design of structures and site arrangements committed months ahead," they said.
"Those decisions had to be made over the summer, at a time when key parts of the city centre were closed, and there was real uncertainty about when Princes Street would reopen and what the knock-on effects would be."
The spokesperson added that "significant costs of staging a rink in the city centre, with no opportunity for funding support" also played a role in the decision.
Local Reaction and Future Plans
Organisers will introduce new festive shows and cabaret at Bristo Square to compensate for the loss. However, locals have expressed disappointment with the news.
One person said: "The excuse is pathetic. It's clearly a cost cutting exercise if they can still produce the ice bar then they can produce the ice rink! Even if they moved away from George Street."
Another suggested: "Why can't it be in Princes Street Gardens the main part?" with a third echoing: "Shame, they couldn't put it back in the gardens in St Andrew Sq or Princes Street it was always well supported."
The ice rink has previously been located in East Princes Street Gardens and St Andrew Square before moving to George Street in more recent years, Edinburgh Evening News reports. The spokesperson said they hope the long-standing attraction will return in future years.
