Ice rink chiefs stay cool as losses covered

Published on Monday 7 November 2011 12:16

A MYSTERY hotelier is responsible for ensuring that Edinburgh’s iconic festive ice rink returns this year, it emerged today.

A deal has been confirmed that ensures that the ice rink – which had been at risk of being axed – will go ahead.

Previous operator AJA Events had run up around £60,000 of losses last year and was unwilling to open itself to the risk of further losses this year.

But it was confirmed today that M&D Leisure, the company behind “Scotland’s Theme Park” at Strathclyde Country Park, has agreed to step in to operate it this year.

The company signed a lease to run the facility after Essential Edinburgh, the group that is funded by a levy paid by businesses based between Princes Street and George Street, handed over £10,000 to the council to enable it to reduce the rent it charges for the site.

It has also emerged that a businessman, understood to be the boss of a well-known hotel chain, has agreed to cover any losses run up by the operator.

It is estimated that 40,000 people will need to use the ice rink for it to break even – but if customer numbers again dip as low as last year’s turnout of 30,000 then the hotelier will pick up the cost.

Councillor Steve Cardownie, the city’s festivals and events champion, said: “Edinburgh’s Christmas celebrations really light up the city during the festive season, drawing many thousands of people to enjoy the attractions and shop in the city centre.

“It was touch and go whether there would be an ice rink included in this year’s programme – I’m pleased that we’ve managed to reach an agreement that will allow it to go ahead and we are grateful to Essential Edinburgh and other private sector contributors for their support.

“I know this news will be warmly welcomed not just by skaters, spectators and traders, but also by retailers and businesses in the surrounding area.”

The rink will be delivered, built and managed by M&D Leisure, which is already contracted by the council to provide the Edinburgh Wheel, Flying Carousel, Helter Skelter and Traditional Carousel in East Princes Street Gardens.

The dip last year was largely blamed on the severe weather conditions that kept customers away. In 2009, it attracted 40,000 people.

Andy Neal, chief executive of Essential Edinburgh, which will provide £10,000 towards the ice rink as part of £25,000 of support to Edinburgh’s Christmas, said: “Essential Edinburgh felt it was important to step in to remove the unhelpful uncertainty which surrounded the continued presence of the ice rink.

“We believe that, with all that is going on in the city centre, it was important that we did not lose what is an important attraction at a vitally important time of year for our levy-payers.

“Essential Edinburgh therefore came up with a financial package to ensure the ice rink goes ahead, along with significant other support for the festive season activities and campaign designed to bring people to the city centre.

“It is another example of the city centre’s private businesses, through Essential Edinburgh, investing in the city centre.”

The hotelier that has offered to cover any losses suffered has asked for his name not to be disclosed publicly.

Douglas Taylor, managing director of M&D Leisure, said: “After many years of working with the city council, M&D Leisure is excited to be delivering an even bigger and better part of Edinburgh’s Christmas.”

Comments

There are 8 comments to this article

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8

ahdinnyken

Tuesday, November 8, 2011 at 01:09 PM

not the putting course!!! i think the ice rink is one of the biggest attractions at xmas in edinburgh good on the guy for helping out.

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The Genuine Mario Antionette

Tuesday, November 8, 2011 at 12:19 PM

I'd rather look a gift horse in the mouth than a criminal. Personally, I do care who is taking on the risk & if they want to be transparent & come forward & reveal where the funding is coming from & what's in it for them to be so "generous", then that's good enough for me.

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GrahamP

Tuesday, November 8, 2011 at 11:47 AM

Thank you, thegenuinemarioantionette, for illustrating exactly what is meant by looking a gift horse in the mouth. Personally I don't care who's taking on the risk; if they're generous enough to save the ice rink then that's good enough for me.

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The Genuine Mario Antionette

Tuesday, November 8, 2011 at 03:16 AM

Of course it matters who the mysterious benefactor is, particularly when money laundering regulations are in force to help unmask the source of funding by criminal means. Transparency is the key. If money bags doesn't want the public to know hisher identity, then we don't want there money.

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JumboLumbo

Monday, November 7, 2011 at 06:40 PM

It matters not one whit who the mystery benefactor is. I say a huge thank you to him for rescuing an attraction that would normally need tax money to survive, or simply fold. He's willing to take a risk - good for him. It would be great if others in the private sector could do similar things. Well done!

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Rugal

Monday, November 7, 2011 at 02:18 PM

Great that's the old putting course ruined for yet another year and we can kiss goodbye to any tourist bed tax for the foreseeable future. The mystery businessman should really be named, who knows what kind of person he is or even if he has the money, remember Cardownies very good friend ran up a massive bill before she gave the city two fingers......cash up front please and much more than he is pledging.

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Lord HawHaw

Monday, November 7, 2011 at 01:38 PM

woohooo, now all we need is another rich boss to underwrite the Tram,Waterfront, Forth rd bridge and the giant wheel and the council is home and dry......

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1

Morag

Monday, November 7, 2011 at 01:14 PM

"Iconic"? Are you sure?

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