Felixstowe ice rink is launched to herald Christmas

Hundreds of people queued on Thursday morning as the free ice rink was launched by Felixstowe Mayor Seamus Bennett in the town's Great Eastern Square, with expectations high that the festive attraction will bring visitors into the town to go shopping.

Skaters enjoy the Felixstowe ice rink (Image: Charlotte Bond)Kate Cain, manager of Felixstowe Business Improvement District (BID), which helped to organise the rink, said: "The ice rink is always a sure fire winner for us. It is something that we have to do every year because everyone loves it."

READ MORE: Felixstowe: Christmas ice rink returning to Hamilton Road

Felixstowe Mayor Seamus Bennett at the ice rink (Image: Charlotte Bond)On Friday, a special Christmas train- the Santa Express- will be rolling into town bringing children to enjoy the ice rink, free craft workshops and a Christmas Gonk Trail, which is a novelty toy.

Mr Bennett said there was a 'real festive atmosphere' at the launch, with approximately 100 children already taking to the rink with their parents during the first hour after he had cut the ribbon.

READ MORE: Ice rink to return to Suffolk town among Christmas events

Erin Morley with her children Enzo and Emmy, who said the rink was 'fun' (Image: Newsquest)He added: "It may bring people into the town and that will be great. It brings people together and they might bump into people they know and have Christmas conversations."

Erin Morley, from Felixstowe, was enjoying a visit to the ice rink with her children Enzo, six and Emmy, eight.

Felixstowe's Mayor Seamus Bennett was ready to hit the rink in Great Eastern Square. (Image: Charlotte Bond)

READ MORE: Felixstowe news 

Michelle and Zoey Ablett enjoy the ice rink (Image: Newsquest)Emmy said: "It is very fun. We were here last year. It is good for Christmas."

Michelle Ablett was also visiting with her daughter Zoey and they had also been last year when the rink was in town.

Crowds enjoy Felixstowe ice rink after its launch on Thursday (Image: Newsquest)

A mini funfare provided by Felixstowe's Ocean Boulevard is also accompanying the ice rink, while radio station Fresh Gold Radio has been broadcasting live.

Felixstowe's ice rink is now open. (Image: Charlotte Bond, Newsquest)

Felixstowe's ice rink is now open. (Image: Charlotte Bond, Newsquest)

Events have been taking place in the town since the start of December, with the square hosting a makers' market, free children's craft workshops, live entertainment and a photo booth where people could take photos to post to social media.

READ MORE: Suffolk news