Nottingham’s first outdoor rink has been a huge success with over 63,000 skaters taking a spin on the ice.

Open for just over seven weeks from Wednesday 21st November to Sunday 13th January The National Ice Centre’s E.ON Ice Rink quickly became an essential Christmas and New Year activity.

And it wasn’t just people in Nottinghamshire who came to try out the rink in Old Market Square, in fact tickets were brought from all over the UK and from as far away as Australia and New Zealand.

During the same seven week period that the E.ON Ice Rink was operational the city’s National Ice Centre still attracted over 40,000 skaters.

That is almost the same as last year’s record breaking year for the NIC and means that in total over 100,000 people took to the ice over the festive period.

At 40m by 19m the rink was one of the largest in the country and with the only full sized ice resurfacing machine, it had some of the best quality ice around.

The NIC’s Deputy Chief Executive Martin Ingham is keen to make it a Christmas tradition.

“We were very pleased with the amount of skaters we attracted to the rink, 63,000 is a great result for the first year and we would be looking at building on that if we were to open again this Christmas.

“Before we can decide to go ahead with the rink again we do need to get a sponsor on board and ensure that everyone in the city is once again behind the idea. Fingers crossed we will be able to provide another fantastic facility for everyone to enjoy next winter.”

If you didn’t get chance to try the E.ON Ice Rink then you can still give skating a go at the National Ice Centre.

The NIC runs daily public ice skating sessions and lessons so for more information log onto www.national-ice-centre.com or call 0115 853 3036.