Ice Rink? Ready! Big Wheel? Ready! Air Flyer? Ready! And Air ride? Ready!
Ice Skate Birmingham’s four big attractions in Centenary Square are going through the final testing and maintenance phases in readiness for 65 days of fun, fun, fun.
Westside World has already been for a ride on the Big Wheel to help to test it and you can see our video of the stunning new views, including the Octagon Tower rising behind the Library of Birmingham, here:
Every day except Sunday, during normal Library of Birmingham opening hours, you will see people looking almost as small as ants on its garden terraces.
Despite some recent bouts of inclement weather, the Broad Street site will open on schedule at 10am on Thursday 2 November – an hour ahead of the Birmingham German Christmas Market in Victoria Square and New Street.
Ice Skate Birmingham will then continue for far longer, too – closing on Sunday 7 January after the staff only take Christmas Day off.
Able and Emily Danter, who have led the building of Ice Skate Birmingham in Centenary Square through their city-based family firm Danter Attractions, told Westside World: “It’s been a tough build this year with two lots of very heavy rain, but, as always, we’ve got through that and we’re just putting the finishing touches to everything now.
“One of the biggest jobs is checking all of the LED lights on the Big Wheel – it has more than 10,000! We can’t wait to open in Westside again because we are a family business with our sons working with us – we all just want to give families a great time in a safe environment.”
Once again, the ice rink is completely indoors so that it will be open whatever the weather. This means people can book with confidence knowing their slot will be guaranteed.
The other good news of course is that the West Midlands Metro tram service from Wolverhampton to Edgbaston Village is now fully up and running and includes a Broad Street stop right next to the 40-metre Big Wheel and 55-metre tall City Flyer.
Able added: “This is the second year we’ve had this particular rink and building. After hiring different ones over the years to make constant improvements, we really liked this one and have bought it.
“Once again it will once again have an Ice Lounge where all families are welcome to come and have a drink and warm up with hot drinks including coffees.
“We are so proud of Birmingham and delighted to be back in the biggest and best area in the city centre. We just can’t wait to welcome everyone along.”
Factfile
To book your ice skating session, visit the website.
Ice Skate Birmingham will be open daily in Centenary Square, Broad Street B1 2EA from 10am til 10pm, from Thursday, 2 November to Sunday, 7 January, 2024.
General prices are: ice skating – £13 for adults, £11 for children. Each session is 45 minutes long, starting on the hour every hour from 10am til 9pm. You are advised to arrive 30 minutes before your slot to get kitted out.
It’s £8 for adults and £7 for children on the Big Wheel and the City Flyer is £7 per person (minimum heigh 1.4 metres, open from noon daily) – they can be booked online or you can turn up and pay.
Both the ice rink and Big Wheel ride are wheelchair friendly. Lockers are available to hire for £1.
All pictures and video in this story are by Graham Young.
ENDS
