New ice rink 'is much busier' than expected (From Runcorn and Widnes World)

New ice rink attracts thousands to Widnes

5:50pm Thursday 10th January 2013 in News By Barbara Jordan

HALTON’S new ice rink has attracted record crowds.

Big queues snaked around Silver Blades, the last unit to open at the £10 million Hive leisure park in Widnes, as thousands of people discovered the joy of skating.

General manager Anney Williams said: “It’s been absolutely fabulous. We’ve been much busier than we anticipated.

“We’ve had such a good response, so many happy, smiling faces.

“We had a few hundred people at the weekend for free taster sessions.”

She is expecting ITV’s Dancing On Ice show to attract even more people to have a go.

Anney added: “The show always gives people the bug for skating. Hopefully more will come down.

“We have had some lovely comments from customers saying our staff are really friendly.

“They’ve worked really hard. We’ve got a good team.”

Halton Council leader, Clr Rob Polhill said: “We’re delighted the ice rink is proving such a success.

“It is the icing on the cake for this leisure park.

“We are confident it will attract a lot of visitors to Halton and can only be good for local businesses.”