Bolton to be transformed into winter wonderland
8:40am Friday 19th October 2012 in News
BOLTON town centre will be transformed into a winter wonderland this Christmas when an ice rink is built in Victoria Square.
It is part of Bolton Council’s plans to attract thousands of shoppers to the town centre over the festive period.
Today The Bolton News is also launching a campaign to urge people to shop local, take advantage of the town centre and support local retailers, bars and restaurants during the run up to Christmas.
A Santa’s grotto, speciality market, street entertainment, real reindeer and a huge Christmas lights switch-on party, with the Hairy Bikers flicking the switch on the night, are also planned for the town centre.
There will also be thousands of free car parking spaces to help shoppers make the most of what Bolton has to offer.
Bolton Council leader, Cllr Cliff Morris, said: “Bolton has got a spectacular line-up of events this Christmas. I’m sure the ice rink will be popular with visitors and it really will make our celebrations special this year.
“We’ve pulled out all the stops this year to make it a truly magical Christmas and I’d urge everyone to pay Bolton town centre a visit.”
The 200-square-metre ice rink will open seven days a week from December 1 to January 6. It will be closed on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Capital FM radio will provide the official ‘ice radio’ station to entertain visitors.
It is around 10 years since the town centre last had an ice rink at Christmas.
Parking spaces in four multi-storey car parks — Bow Street, Deane Road, Topp Way and the Octagon — will be free all weekend and after 3pm on weekdays from November 1 to January 27.
From December 1, the ice rink will open Saturdays from 10am to 5pm, Sundays 11am to 4pm, Monday to Friday from noon to 2pm and 4.15pm to 5pm, and Thursdays from 4pm to 8pm.
From December 22, the ice rink will open weekdays and Saturdays from 10am to 5pm, and Sundays from 11am to 4pm. It will be open on Christmas Eve from 11am to 4pm, and Boxing Day and New Year’s Eve from 12pm to 3pm.
One hour’s skating, including skate hire, costs £5 for adults; £2.50 for under-18s, and £3.50 for senior citizens and students.
Family tickets at £10 cover two adults and two children or one adult and three children.
Groups with 10 or more will get a 10 per cent discount.
All children under the age of eight must be accompanied by an adult skating. Children aged between eight and 12 must have an adult observing.
Tickets can be bought from a box office next to the ice rink. They can also be pre-booked at boltontowncentre.co.uk from Friday, November 16.
There will be 15 wooden chalets selling festive goods, crafts and gifts on Victoria Square from December 1.
The free Christmas lights switch-on show is in Victoria Square, on Saturday, November 24 from 4pm, with the big switch-on at 6pm.
Comments(9)
numero1
says...
10:46am Fri 19 Oct 12
Love Bolton
says...
11:57am Fri 19 Oct 12
lindlandl
says...
12:26pm Fri 19 Oct 12
MarkP27
says...
12:57pm Fri 19 Oct 12
Fantastic, children ice-skating in Victoria Square - very picturesque, but it is adults who spend money who are needed for the shopkeepers to survive.
Parking IS NOT free, but will be nearer the Christmas Period - maybe you haven't read the article properly. Also, when the free parking does come into effect - most people will have already bought their goods.
Why would I want to park in a Loading Bay? Did I say that I did? The inference is to demonstrate the lengths that the parking attendants go to in order to ticket people. Additionally, local stores do need the loading bays empty for delivery trucks.
Maybe your protest at the A & E closure should be directed to the proper channel and not me - but I guess you are the type to complain AFTER the fact. Lastly, yes you are wrong (I am 42) so have been moaning for longer than 30 years. Allows me to remember Bolton as it was - a thriving, bustling and independent town, not the closed down dump it now is.
Winston"2+2=5"Smith
says...
4:31pm Fri 19 Oct 12
Phil from Smithills
says...
5:45pm Fri 19 Oct 12
Changeit!
says...
9:07pm Fri 19 Oct 12
lindlandl
says...
9:45pm Fri 19 Oct 12
MarkP27 wrote:Oh Ebenezer really!
lindlandl - thank you for proving my point! If people are prepared to put up with 'crawling along the motorway and nightmare parking' instead of visiting Bolton, doesn't this just demonstrate the lengths people are going to in order to avoid the town?
Fantastic, children ice-skating in Victoria Square - very picturesque, but it is adults who spend money who are needed for the shopkeepers to survive.
Parking IS NOT free, but will be nearer the Christmas Period - maybe you haven't read the article properly. Also, when the free parking does come into effect - most people will have already bought their goods.
Why would I want to park in a Loading Bay? Did I say that I did? The inference is to demonstrate the lengths that the parking attendants go to in order to ticket people. Additionally, local stores do need the loading bays empty for delivery trucks.
Maybe your protest at the A & E closure should be directed to the proper channel and not me - but I guess you are the type to complain AFTER the fact. Lastly, yes you are wrong (I am 42) so have been moaning for longer than 30 years. Allows me to remember Bolton as it was - a thriving, bustling and independent town, not the closed down dump it now is.
MarkP27 says...
10:35am Fri 19 Oct 12
Also dare to drive into the town centre and you will be subject to the cctv car who parks in a Loading Bay.
Yes there may be Middlebrook or Bury or Wigan or the Trafford Centre all with fine stores and free parking - but come and support Bolton, but be careful (don't have an accident) as the Accident and Emergency department at the hospital is closing.
BOLTON, We are open for business (not since 1982)