Sheffield city centre ice rink price revealed as attraction returns to city centre after decade
Sheffield's new city centre ice rink opens to the public this week
A city centre Christmas ice rink has returned to the city for the first time, with school children from the city trying it out ahead of the official opening.
It will open to the public on Saturday, November 14, following a special session for local schoolchildren today (Friday).
Children aged 12 and under can skate for free, provided they are accompanied by an adult.
Tickets for adults and children over 13 cost £5.
There is no need to book in advance, with visitors able to turn up and queue for a spot on the rink.
The attraction will remain in place until New Year's Eve, staying open longer than Sheffield's Christmas markets which close on Christmas Eve.
During the week, free sessions for schools will run between 11am and 1pm, with the rink open to the public from 1pm until 8pm.
At weekends, it will open from 11am until 8pm on Saturdays and 11am until 6pm on Sundays.
Councillor Laura Moynahan, Deputy Chair of Sheffield City Council's Economic Development, Skills and Culture Policy Committee, said the rink was part of efforts to make this year's celebrations the biggest Christmas Sheffield had seen.
She said: "The idea is to give people things to do at the Christmas period. We wanted to make this the biggest, brightest Christmas that Sheffield has seen.
"We also wanted to make it affordable because we know families are struggling with the cost of living.
"This is free for kids 12 and under and £5 for everybody else, so together with free events at Devonshire Green, it is affordable and that is what really matters to people."
Sheffield's Christmas markets opened on Thursday, November 12, with more than 50 cabins stretching across Fargate, Pinstone Street and The Moor.
More lights and decorations have also been added across the city centre, while a free celebration featuring a live act will take place at Devonshire Green instead of the usual Christmas lights switch-on, which could not go ahead for safety reasons.
Coun Moynahan said she had visited the markets on their opening evening alongside Councillor Ben Miskell and described them as "really busy" and "amazing".
She added: "I got so excited last night seeing everything in the Peace Gardens. I really felt the Christmas spirit.
"We all need something to lift our spirits in winter and it is just really exciting."
Councillor Ben Miskell said: “I’m really excited to see an ice rink back in the city centre for the first time in more than a decade.
“We want families to be able to come into Sheffield, get their skates on and enjoy everything else that will be happening around the city centre this Christmas.”
The wider Christmas programme will also include a snow slide, street entertainment, children's characters, craft activities, music and live performances.