Fury over state of ice rink in Winchester

The ice melted following rain and mild temperatures of around an unseasonal 15C and despite a clearly visible layer of water on top of the ice, it was kept open.

However some families are less than impressed and say that it is in a terrible state.

Irena Godfrey, from Hyde in Winchester, had booked tickets for the rink three weeks ago.

She visited but feared for the safety of her teenagers Astrid, 17, and Jake, 15, and said she and other families opted against skating.

The 51-year-old who suffers from cancer, was refused a refund for the tickets, which cost a combined total of £40, but was told she could rebook for a later time.

She revisited the rink on Thursday, December 17 and says she was told that bosses had changed their mind on rebooking and she claims she was not given a reason for the decision.

Ms Godfrey said: “It was all about making memories – we had the phones and the iPads to take pictures.

“I thought they would have addressed the situation.

“It is pathetic watching two people with a broom trying to sweep away hundreds of gallons of water in a matter of minutes. I do not see how any health and safety official would pass it as an ice rink.”

“I saw a man trying to get the water off the ice fall and slip on his face, it is completely unsafe.

“They said it is safe to skate on and I said can’t you see that staff are falling over, and they said they’re not professional skaters.”

“I am absolutely furious, it takes all my energy to get out of bed, let alone go into Winchester.”

Another customer, Paul Cattell, who had come with his family, argued with staff for a refund after seeing the amount of surface water on the rink.

Mr Cattell said: “I have been ice skating when it’s raining before and it’s fine, but this is more than that, it’s just not fun and a nice experience when it is like it is.”

A notice on the ice rink box office states users should ‘dress’ accordingly to the weather conditions, as climatic conditions may cause a layer of water on the ice surface.

It also states wet weather does not affect skating and does not make it unsafe to skate, but did add customers may get wet if they fall over.

The terms and conditions also say that refunds are not accepted, unless management deem it necessary to close the ice rink down due to health and safety or technical concerns.

A spokesman for Winchester Cathedral said: “We are not in a position to comment on any individual circumstances, but we take every effort to ensure that our terms and conditions are clear at the time of booking, both in person and online.

“As a result of the recent weather conditions, there has been water on the ice from time to time, but we have chillers that are in operation all of the time and any surface water is cleared from the ice between sessions.”

The spokesman added: “The ice rink operating company’s trained and experienced stewards are on hand at all times to ensure safety.”

This week temperatures are expected to be back to normal.

The ice rink closes for the season on Sunday, January 3. It is due to return along with the Cathedral Close Christmas market in November 2016.