A Group linked with the Hilton Hotel development in Bournemouth plan to create a lit-up Alpine-themed ice rink in the Lower Gardens this Christmas.
Caron Khan, Town Centre BID manager, unveiled the plans for the rink at the meeting of the Lower Central Gardens Trust Board on Monday, which would feature a bar and onsite catering for families to enjoy.
Caron said: “This year it’s going to be slightly different from last year and a much more attractive design. They are looking at creating an Alpine-style ice rink.
“Inside will be a really nice, warm, inviting interior and that’s where they will be working with a local catering company to create hot chocolate and nice food in a family experience.
The THAT group will also be working with the Hilton to create a ski bar which will be launched around the same time as the Hilton Sky Bar.”
She said that it would be in place for seven weeks and added that as part of the three-year contract, the THAT Group would be responsible for the re-turfing of the grass, security, power and marketing of it.
She said that there are two ideas that they are looking at, one with a nursery rink for toddlers and small children and one without.
“The THAT group are a new developer, linked with the Hilton, with a different ethos in their approach, so that any development that they work on, they make sure that they are engaging with the community.”
Others Christmas plans by the Town Centre BID include illuminating the entrances to the Lower Gardens and bringing back the Candlelight nights for Saturday afternoons in December, which would be funded by the BID. They are also considering a festive landtrain which would bring visitors into the gardens, decorating the bandstand with festive lights to host traditional Christmas entertainment and a Dorset’s Finest bazaar in Pine Walk.
The Gardens of Light huts will not be brought back to the Lower Gardens this year and will instead by used by artists to showcase their work in the Triangle.
- Let's Go Out
