Author:
Anne Gierveld
Date:
24 June 2019
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Make Christmas Shopping a true Christmas experience

The key objective of Winter Wonderland at the Mall at Cribbs Causeway is to attract more visitors to an out-of-town shopping centre and to make The Mall a destination even for people from further away who do not necessarily have to come that far for their retail shopping.

Largest outdoor ice rink in the region

The Mall at Cribbs Causeway hosts the Bristol Fashion Week held twice a year in March and September. It is also home to the famous Winter Wonderland (from mid-November until mid-January) each year with the largest outdoor ice rink in the region.  The Christmas period is a key shopping period. The ice rink entertains the entire family and turns Christmas shopping into a day out. In addition, it generates additional income for The Mall through ticket sales and skate hire. A win-win winter experience!

Delivering a turn-key solution including managing the ice rink

Ice-World delivers a turn-key solution including managing the ice rink for the entire period in return for a rental and management fee. The revenue of the project is for the shopping mall management company, which uses the money to finance the ice rink and the related winter events such as Santa’s Castle and a free concert to kick-off the Winter Wonderland.

High quality in delivery and execution of the project is key for the customer. The challenges for operating the rink, such as warm and windy days have been dealt with swiftly by the Ice-World team. Contrary to many other rinks in the region which must close operations during adverse weather conditions, the ice rink at The Mall stays open nearly all the time.

Up to 80.000 skaters must keep happy not only by the good quality of ice but also by providing operational excellence with experienced and friendly staff. Skaters and visitors are provided with an excellent experience on and around the ice. Continuously good reviews on Tripadvisor, Facebook, and other social networks prove the point.

  • 1.050m2 outdoor ice rink
  • 80.000 skaters in 9 weeks
  • The long-standing event, widely reported in local and regional print and online media
  • Entry fees and skate hire, promotion of shopping mall as Xmas shopping destination
  • Santa’s Enchanted Ice Castle with 3D experience, vintage fairground rides, small Christmas market, opening night with a free concert or themed event

Every year up to 80.000 skaters return to the event

Every year up to 80.000 skaters return to this event, and many more are watching the skaters from the sideline. Most sessions are fully booked. For The Mall, the ice rink is a great success. The direct income from the rink is covering all costs and even generating revenues to finance the other related events of the Winter Wonderland set-up. The promotional value is immeasurable as the ice rink is a key factor in keeping the shopping centre ahead of the competition during the crucial Christmas shopping period. The temporary nature of the event maximizes its promotional value as a returning event for people to look forward to. The Winter Wonderland is alternated with other events such as a beach in the summer, fashion weeks in spring and autumn, and other events. People always have something different to look forward to when visiting The Mall.

Ice-World contributed to making the 2016 Winter Wonderland the most successful to date

Ice-World has delivered the ice technology for this rink since it started 15 years ago

Ice-World has delivered the ice technology for this rink since it started 15 years ago (except one year). In the last 5 years, Ice-World also managed the rink on behalf of The Mall. During this period the event has continuously grown to its current size and success. Each year tens of thousands of people return to the rink for their yearly ice skating with friends and family. It has become part of their Christmas tradition. Christmas in Bristol is impossible to imagine without the ice rink at The Mall. Ice-World is trusted to deliver this important project based on a flawless track record of delivering excellent technology and event management to the client.

4 reasons to rent or buy an ice skating rink from Ice-World

No risk, we deliver

For 30 years now, we have been helping our customers with successful and sustainable ice events. Ice-World is ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certified.

Energy efficient

Our patented system is up to 40% more energy efficient than other systems, quick to assemble and dismantle and it works excellently at higher temperatures.

Tailor made solutions

We provide advice for the organisation of temporary ice events and permanent ice skating rinks, based on your specific wishes.