Castle Park Winter Wonderland plan

Plans have been put forward to bring an ice rink, a log cabin Christmas Market and fairground rides into Upper Castle Park, creating what would be know as the Castle Park Winter Wonderland.

It would run from the end of November to the beginning of January.

Ben Payne, who runs Hythe-based lighting and audio-visual company Illuminate Design, is behind the plans.

He said: “We want to bring people into Colchester from further afield.

“Our plan is to bring people to the town who wouldn’t normally come to Colchester.

“It will give them a reason to come here and while they are here, they may stay overnight, or visit the shops. It would be a win-win for Colchester.”

A report submitted to Colchester Council suggests setting up a festive ice rink in a town centre has a proven track record of boosting business, with shops, typically, reporting a nine per cent increase in trade.

Mr Payne said if the council gave the go-ahead by the summer, the attraction would run for five weeks from November 27 – the weekend the town’s Christmas lights are due to be switched on.

The attraction would employ about 30 job, Mr Payne, added, and would attract and estimated 40,000 people over the five weeks.

If it was a success, Mr Payne said his aim would be to make it an annual event. The idea already has the backing of Colchester’s councillor responsible for tourism, Tim Young. He said: “Ben has presented his idea to the cabinet and we were all impressed.

“Anything which makes Colchester a bit different and a bit more attractive will be backed by me, and I’m pleased to say there is cross-party support for this.”

The market would offer as many as 30 home-made food and craft stalls, plus and a Santa’s Grotto the overall attraction would open daily between 10am and 10pm, offering schools the chance to bring pupils there to skate during the day.

Mother and toddler groups would be offered exclusive morning skating sessions.

The rink would be built immediately to east of the castle, while the Christmas Market would trade along both sides of the path which runs the west of the castle.

Grassy areas behind the castle would be used to stage seasonal shows and carol performances by school choirs.

It will be the jewel in our crown 

THE Castle Park Winter Wonderland will be the jewel in Colchester’s crown, according to the company
which would run it.

Cousins Entertainment supplies rinks for the ITV show Dancing on Ice and to several cities across the UK.

Director Alan Abretti said: “We are excited about being on board in Colchester.

“The setting is magnificent. Colchester Castle is an incredible backdrop for an event like this.”

Mr Abretti said the attraction would be aimed at local people, but also at bringing more people into the
town.

He added: “It will really boost the town’s presence at Christmas and make it something unique and
special.”

Mr Abretti said he would be heavily involved in planning the attraction drawing on his experience of running a similar ones in Winchester and Cardiff for a decade.

More than 500,000 people visit the Hampshire attraction every year, while the Cardiff one has been running successful for three years.