Weston-super-Mare's winter attraction, Icescape, will not be opening this year, North Somerset Council has announced. It says this is due to the rising costs of energy to power the attraction, with the predicted energy bill being five times what it was in 2019 when the ice rink was last in Weston.
While a location for the rink this year had been agreed, in the end the decision to cancel the event for 2022 came down to the factor of unsustainable costs simply being too great. Jamie Dann, Operations Director at Icescape, said: "It is a real shame we won’t be returning to Tropicana or Weston-super-Mare again this year.
"Another location was found but mains power was not available, and although this would have been provided by the council, this and the cost of energy made the event financially unviable. We would like to thank North Somerset Council for all their work in trying to find an alternative site and we hope to return in the future."
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Mark Canniford, Executive Member for Placemaking and Growth, said: "We have worked closely with Icescape to explore all of the options, but the steep rise in energy costs, which is affecting businesses and households across the UK, have resulted in this difficult decision. Although Icescape will sadly not be joining us this year, the hugely popular carnival will be back for the first time since Covid and the Grand Pier Fireworks at Sea.
"There will also be Christmas Lights switch on and Christmas events across North Somerset. We’re grateful for the support and positivity from Icescape and we look forward to welcoming them back next year, during less challenging times."
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