The popular ice rink will not return this Christmas.
Announcing changes to Manchester’s Autumn/Winter events calendar just last month, Manchester City Council announced that a number of popular Christmas events will not be taking place this year – including the famous markets and the Christmas light switch-on. And now, as a result of the new Tier 3 COVID-19 restrictions, Skate Manchester has revealed the Cathedral Gardens Ice Rink will no longer be returning.
The family-friendly ice rink, which pops up annually alongside the Manchester Christmas Markets, was confirmed to go ahead just a matter of weeks ago, announcing in a statement just this morning:
“It is with a heavy heart, that due to the ongoing uncertainty regarding the Coronavirus pandemic, and new Tier 3 restrictions being introduced in Greater Manchester, has forced us to cancel this year’s Skate Manchester Ice attraction.
“We have been carefully monitoring the evolving situation over recent weeks as well as been in close consultation with Manchester City Council. Having weighed up several factors and following the escalation of Greater Manchester to Tier 3 coronavirus restrictions, sadly it left us with no alternative but to cancel the 2020 Skate Manchester Ice attraction.”
Manchester City Council spokesperson Councillor Pat Karney said: “It probably comes as little surprise that we will not be welcoming the ice rink to Manchester this year. Skate Manchester has become a key part of the city’s festive celebrations, but Tier 3 restrictions mean this type of event cannot go ahead. We know this announcement will come as a disappointment to the many people who have already booked tickets, but we have to put public health advice first and keep Manchester safe. We look forward to Skate Manchester returning in 2021.”
Full refunds will be processed for those who had already purchased tickets, with the event planning its comeback for 2021.