There will be no ice rink in Brighton this year following warnings from gardeners it would threaten the restoration of the Royal Pavilion’s gardens.
Brighton and Hove City Council’s cabinet member for tourism David McGregor confirmed the decision not to rent out the gardens to the Pavilion Ice Rink this year or next at today’s cabinet meeting.
It came in answer to a question from Green councillor Ellen McLeay, who asked if plans were in place to provide a public ice rink anywhere else.
During the meeting at Hove Town Hall, Councillor McGregor confirmed the rink will not be back this winter but will return in 2027 with a new location at the Old Steine.
He said: “We’ve been in regular contact with the organisers of the ice rink and we’ve been incredibly excited about the new home on Old Steine.
“They’ve had many successful years in Pavilion Gardens, and we look forward to many more right at the heart of the city.
“I looked at every option to have this iconic part of the Brighton and Hove Christmas offering in place for 2026, but it wasn’t possible.”
Earlier this year, Brighton and Hove News reported an email had been sent to volunteer gardeners claiming the damage from hosting the ice rink had “scarred the landscape” and “greatly contributed” to the gardens being put on the Heritage At Risk register.
And it said if it returned this year, it would disrupt the imminent garden renovations, pushing up costs and therefore putting the whole project at risk.
Shella Parkin of Laine Ltd, said: “We are proud of the benefits the ice rink has brought to the city, not least the millions in annual visitor spend from skaters who then go on to eat, drink and Christmas shop in Brighton, as well as the joy it has brought to so many people since 2010.
“While we won’t be operating the rink in Brighton this Christmas, we’re pleased to have agreement in principle for a new long-term home from 2027 onwards.
“Ice rinks are power-hungry, so we have proudly chosen not to run off diesel generators for many years now. Mains power enables us to run off a renewable tariff but unfortunately, we haven’t found a venue with sufficient electrical capacity for 2026 and have made the difficult decision to stand the rink down for one year.
“We are sad to disappoint the thousands for whom the rink has become an important part of their Christmas tradition, but we’re looking forward to returning to an exciting new venue for future festive seasons.”
The email said: “Allowing the ice rink to return and potentially jeopardise the carefully balanced project we’ve designed does not look good for the council at all.
“Indeed, there is a real threat this action could undermine future grant applications that the council makes to help fund vital work in the city which helps restore civic pride to us, its residents.
“Further, the many other organisations we have approached for funding will also question their generosity when they see us backpedal on our impassioned plea to help restore the garden.
“It will look hypocritical and our reputation will be severely impacted upon.”
The ice rink first set up in Pavilion Gardens in 2010. Historic England put the Royal Pavilion on its at risk register in 2017, citing a range of issues including fencing, litter bins, signage, lighting and antisocial behaviour.
Understandable that this year the Pavilion was not a suitable location, but wouldn’t Black Rock be an alternative?
The right decision for once !
They should have placed it on Victoria Gardens South as they (events) have already destroyed the land so badly, it won’t recover with just a rake & sprinkle of bird seed.
The deal could have been a total re-turf after removal of the ice rink and resting the area from the 2027 Brighton Festival now that the original Brighton Spiegel Tent is rumoured to be returning to the Steine next year.
What a shame. The ice rink brought visitors to Brighton, not least with the Pavilion as a beautiful backdrop. Friends stayed with us a few years ago. The setting prompted them to visit both the Pavilion and the Museum. The restoration of the Gardens seems to be designed to keep the public out, and the fence that’s going to go up just underlines this. It will make the place feel less accessible, worsen the Trust’s finances and contribute to their poor reputation. This is the wrong decision.
Oh well. Lots if crack heads instead round there to entertain
Now where will they put that down at the Steine in Dec 2027.
Hardly any Grass in that area, and it’s fully Pedestrians & cyclists now.
Bit of a frosty reception