Annual ice rink to return to York Designer Outlet

And they say they are working with outlet managers on plans to make it a bigger “winter wonderland” attraction, with additional features nearby such as a German market and children’s fairground rides. Lunchbox Theatrical Productions has applied to City of York Council for planning permission and a premises licence for the rink to run at the outlet in Fulford from November 26 to January 8, one week less than last year.

A similar licence and planning permission were granted last autumn despite objections from a local resident and Fulford Parish Council, who were concerned about noise and disturbance.

A series of conditions were agreed to allay any concerns. Any representations on the latest licence application should be made to the council by June 11.

The rink moved to the outlet last year after it had to leave its traditional home in the Eye of York because of objections from officials at the nearby York Crown Court.

Last Christmas’s rink attracted about 40,000 skaters, despite the bitterly cold weather and snow of December. The figure was down by about 5,000 on the previous year at the Eye of York, but Maria Farrugia, of Lunchbox, said this was only in line with reductions experienced by retailers because of the weather, and because people were still becoming familiar with the new location.

She said the siting of the rink alongside the A64 dual carriageway and A19, coupled with free parking, had helped attract people from even further afield, especially Selby and Doncaster.

Maria said yesterday that further efforts would be made to market the rink in east, west and south Yorkshire because of the ease of access to the outlet from the highways network.

Prices would be held at last year’s levels because Lunchbox recognised the difficulties caused to people by the current economic climate.