The company operating the Harrogate Ice Rink has revealed it won’t be returning to the town this year.

York-based Events by Cynosure is running the rink in collaboration with Destination Harrogate, North Yorkshire Council’s tourism body, in Crescent Gardens.

The venture is in the second of a three-year deal between the two organisations.

However, John Lowery, chief operating officer at Events by Cynosure, told the Stray Ferret the ice rink will not be returning for the next festive season. He said:

“We have no plans to return for 2024 due to the losses sustained this year from the weather and lack of footfall in the area.”

The news comes after the company faced criticism from customers about the condition of the ice and poor customer service.

The Stray Ferret reported yesterday on complaints from some unhappy customers, one of whom described the surface as “extremely dangerous” and said the “rusty blades” had not been maintained.

One customer described the rink as “wet and rippled”.

Mr Lowery said the company had “suffered like all outdoor ice rinks” following adverse weather conditions throughout December, which led it to close eight times in just over a month.

The rink opened on December 1 and will run until Sunday, January 7.

The Stray Ferret asked North Yorkshire Council to respond to the complaints made by readers and also whether it would comment on Events by Cynosure’s announcement that its deal would end a year early. But it declined to comment.

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The company operating Harrogate Ice Rink has responded to complaints about the condition of the ice and slow refunds.

York-based Events by Cynosure is running the rink in collaboration with North Yorkshire Council tourism body Destination Harrogate.

It opened in Crescent Gardens on December 1 but adverse weather has led to its closure eight times since then – including today (January 2).

The rink’s Facebook page has received numerous critical comments from people who have struggled to get refunds. Others have complained about the wet surface.

One unhappy customer, who asked to remain anonymous, claimed the conditions were unsuitable for skating on December 20.

In a letter to the organisers seen by the Stray Ferret, he said:

“The ice and surface were extremely dangerous, wet, rippled and extremely slippery and not maintained and far from the standard of an ice rink.

“For example, no one was able to let go of the side rails and people left the ice…raising a significant health and safety issue.”

He said he asked to speak to a manager at about 6.40pm to voice his concerns about the state of the ice only to be told the manager had “left the site and was unavailable to speak to”, adding:

“Others were also raising the same concerns – staff were unable to assist and had no authority to provide refunds or offer solutions.”

In the same letter, he also said he later approached a staff member wearing “management” uniform (pictured below) who “denied being management and would not make comment”, while “watching football on his iPhone”.

The customer said the man pictured “denied being management”.

The man also claimed the quality of footwear was “extremely poor” and that “rusty blades” had not been maintained.

The man pictured his “rusty” skates.

He today told the Stray Ferret he has “heard nothing at all” since sending the letter on December 21.

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Others have also voiced concerns. Local resident Emma Alderson’s booking was cancelled on Christmas Eve following a yellow weather warning.

Events by Cynosure said the “safety of our skaters is priority” and “all tickets will remain valid until the 7th January should you wish to visit us after Christmas”. However, Ms Alderson has struggled to get a refund since. In a response to the company seen by the Stray Ferret, she wrote:

“Thank you so much for blocking me on the Facebook page. Why keep posting and not reply to people who are trying to rebook?

“Such a bad, poor and disgusting service you offer!”

Despite asking for a refund, Ms Alderson today said she has “had no update from them at all”.

Rink is ‘suitable to skate’

John Lowery, chief operating officer at Events by Cynosure, told the Stray Ferret it was “aware of complaints in regard to the ice rink”. Mr Lowery added:

“In regards to the ice rink being wet we have suffered like all outdoor ice rinks in the country from some of the warmest temperatures and heaviest rain with two named storms alone.

“At no time have we operated the rink when not suitable to skate. We have offered customers the opportunity to come back on another date if they attended when wet.

“Our technical team have worked through the nights etc to make it as good as possible.

“As for refunds these take up to 10 days from when requested and are being processed for any sessions that we have cancelled that the customer cannot change the date until.

“Due to holidays our office was closed over Christmas Day, Boxing Day but we can assure people will be refunded where entitled.”

Harrogate Ice Rink, which debuted in 2022, is part of a three-year deal between Events By Cynosure and Destination Harrogate.

It is set to run until Sunday, January 7, but with just two dry days forecast until then, the weather may continue to have an impact.

The installation of Harrogate Christmas Fayre is underway ahead of its return this week.

The fayre, which will run for 17 days, will feature 50 trade stalls around Cambridge Street selling festive food and drink, gifts, jewellery, homeware and more.

There will also be carol singers and live entertainment.

Families also can look forward to the return of the Candy Cane Express road train, which takes them on a ride around the town centre, as well as an open-top bus with a tour guide to learn about Harrogate‘s landmarks.

The Candy Cane Express. Credit: Smart Avenue Media

The Christmas fayre was extended to run over three weekends, rather than two as previously, in April this year.

Organisers Destination Harrogate and Market Place Europe announced the news after local hoteliers and businesses called for an extension to support them further.

In the announcement, John McGivern, events manager at Destination Harrogate, said the extension would provide “an excellent opportunity to boost our visitor economy even further at a crucial time of year.”

The Harrogate Christmas Fayre will return on Friday, December 1.

It will run from 10am – 7pm from Monday to Saturday, and 11am – 4pm on Sundays.

Harrogate Ice Rink. Credit: Smart Avenue Media

Harrogate Ice Rink, which will also return on Friday, will be in Crescent Gardens along with a carousel, bungee trampolines and game stalls as part of the fayre.

In addition, the festive Little Bird Market can be found in Harrogate’s Valley Gardens on Saturdays and Sundays between 2 and 17 December.

Read our Christmas market guide here to find out which festive events are happening near you.

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The company behind Harrogate’s Christmas ice rink has said it was “very happy” with how it went and plans to return for at least the next two years.

Events by Cynosure transformed Crescent Gardens into a festive treat, installing the ice rink and a host of fairground attractions, including a carousel.

The ice rink, which operated for a month, was one of the highlights of Harrogate’s Christmas offering, which also included a ferris wheel, a market and the Candy Cane Express free road train.

Harrogate Borough Council tourism organisation Destination Harrogate organised the activities in partnership with Events by Cynosure, Harrogate Business Improvement District and events company Market Place Europe as part of a bid to attract more Christmas visitors.

John Lowery, director of Events by Cynosure, told the Stray Ferret it had a three-year deal to operate the ice rink in Harrogate.

Mr Lowery said the ice rink attracted about 15,000 bookings and although he was pleased overall there was room for improvement.

He said the main improvement would be to extend the length of the 10-day market, which ended before mid-December:

“When the market ended it did go quieter. A lot of traders said the same thing. I’d like to see the market there right up until Christmas.

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Mr Lowery also said he wanted the Crescent Gardens site to include a Santa’s grotto and better bar facilities.

He said:

“Our intention is to make Harrogate a destination for people to go at Christmas so they spend money in town and restaurants.

“We’ve learned more about the site and the flow of people and how Harrogate works. Between Christmas and the new year was a lot quieter than I expected.”

This story is sponsored by Events by Cynosure.

Harrogate’s incredible Christmas offering is here to stay until the new year with plenty of festive fun to be had at the incredible Ferris wheel, ice rink, traditional carousel and more.

All of these showstopping attractions are new for Harrogate and will be here until January 3 – so now’s the time to get your skates on!

The giant, illuminated Ferris wheel is in a great location, right in the centre of town.

At its peak of 32-metres, the Ferris wheel offers spectacular views both in the day but also at night with the town centre dressed up for the festive season.

The giant wheel is a great way to experience the town from above.

There’s no need to book ahead for the Ferris wheel so just turn up when you’re ready to experience Harrogate from above.

A true fairground feeling

The fairground feeling at Crescent Gardens is not to be missed either, especially at night when the festoon lighting switches on.

With a traditional carousel, ice rink, fairground rides for children and an aprés ski bar for adults – there’s certainly something at Crescent Gardens for everyone.

The traditional carousel looks the part.

Sessions at the ice rink are 60 minutes, so there’s plenty of time to find your feet and make the most of the experience.

It’s perfect for families, dates, catching up with friends, Christmas parties with a twist or those wanting to learn with the skate school.

John Lowery, Director of Events by Cynosure, said:

“We have been very pleased with the attendance from all over the country this Christmas.

“We are looking forward to seeing more visit us before we close on January 3, 2023. We are even open on Christmas Eve, Boxing Day, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day so there are plenty of chances to enjoy this magical experience.

“This is the first year of a three year contract and we already have some amazing plans for 2023 Christmas.”

Book ahead for the ice rink and secure your timeslot by clicking or tapping here.

Harrogate’s Christmas ice rink has opened for bookings.

The rink, at Crescent Gardens, will be open every day except Christmas Day from December 1 to January 2.

One-hour sessions can be booked throughout each day, with the final session at 8pm. A website has been set up for bookings.

Tickets cost £14 for adults and £13 for children aged five to 16. Family tickets costing £37.50, £50 and £62.50 are available.

Parent and toddler sessions and relaxed sessions, catering for parents and carers and children with additional support needs, are also on offer.

The ice rink is among the highlights of this year’s Harrogate Christmas Fayre, which will also include a Ferris wheel, carousel and other fairground rides, Candy Cane Express road train, town centre stalls and an artisan market in Valley Gardens.

The fayre is a joint venture between Harrogate Borough Council, Harrogate Business Improvement District and Market Place Europe, which took over the town’s seasonal activities last year after the council refused to grant a licence to Harrogate Christmas Market, a locally-run organisation behind the previous event on Montpellier Hill.

The bookings website says:

“Harrogate ice rink is magical for all ages, great for families, date nights, catch ups with pals, Christmas parties with a twist, skaters, non-skaters, those who want to learn to skate at our skate school or just enjoy one of the most fascinating spectator sports with a drink and bite to eat.”

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