Christmas bonanza for Colwyn Bay

Sep 8 2008 By Richard Evans

SHOPPERS in Colwyn Bay will be able to enjoy an ice rink, fairground rides and festive stalls in the build-up to Christmas this December.

A synthetic ice rink will take centre stage on Seaview Road in the three week run-up to the big day encouraging shoppers to visit the town centre and Bayview Shopping Centre.

The good news follows plans for a frozen rink being scrapped because of escalating fuel costs. The event last Christmas attracted over 7,500 skaters to the town centre following the town council investing £40,000. However, the current fuel crisis meant estimates of the cost of the diesel needed to power the rink was exceeding £75,000 and rising.

But at a full town council meeting at the town hall on Rhiw Road councillors voted in support of funding a much cheaper plastic alternative. The funds saved will now be spent on children’s rides and stalls.

Speaking after the meeting Cllr Brian Cossey was delighted Colwyn Bay could offer the ice rink which he hoped would tempt shoppers to the town.

"The real ice rink was totally unaffordable, you are talking three times the price of diesel and it is just impossible," he said. "It is absolutely brilliant news because the town council has rescued the situation and are going to provide a fun-packed Christmas in Colwyn Bay for three weeks."

Town centre manager Ingrid Lewis agreed: "I’m delighted it is going ahead, it will help trade in the town and retail in Colwyn Bay during the key trading time of the year.

"People are already looking to Colwyn Bay for Christmas events following the success last year. It is wonderful working with a forward looking town council who are seeking to regenerate Colwyn Bay in this way. Every year we seek to improve on events and entertainment and this is a further step with children’s rides."