The Ice Factor is proud to once again be shortlisted at the York Tourism Awards, under the category “Visitor Attraction of the Year, under 50,000 visitors”.

The award ceremony takes place on Thursday 26^th April so please do wish us good luck by writing a message on our facebook page!

The Press, York – by Mike Laycock

ORGANISERS of York’s ice rink say it will return to the McArthurGlen Designer Outlet in November after attracting a record 46,200 skaters during its recent season.

They say analysis of visitors has shown that almost half came from outside the county, and the outlet’s shops also saw record sales during the rink’s season.

Maria Farrugia, executive producer at Lunchbox Theatrical Productions and organiser of the event, said: “With 45 per cent of customers coming from outside North Yorkshire, the event is bringing people into the area, having a direct impact on other businesses in and around the city.”

She said she believed the increase in skater numbers was a result of Yorkshire’s Winter Wonderland – a funfair, Christmas market and Santa’s grotto – which was created alongside the rink, as staff had received so many compliments about it.

She said that the eighth year of the rink was now being planned and she could confirm that the Winter Wonderland and rink would open on Saturday, November 24, and run through until January 6, 2013.

Mike Thomas, centre manager for the McArthur Glen Designer Outlet, said he was “thrilled” the event was such a success in its second year at the complex.

He said: “We are already planning an even more exciting event this year to ensure our visitor numbers keep increasing.”

The rink was originally based in the Eye of York until complaints from officials at nearby York Crown Court about noise and disturbance, after which it relocated to the outlet at Fulford, where there is room for a much bigger skating surface.

The rink won the York Tourism Awards in 2010 and has been voted one of the top ten ice rinks nationwide by several national newspapers and best ice rink to visit in the country by BBC Radio 2.

International skater Toni Murray, centre, who judged the ice skating championships at the York Designer Outlet, with York area finalists Karen Sked, left, and Louise Irving. The competition was won by a skater from Bradford

The Press, By Kate Liptrot

YORK’s ice rink has closed after drawing about 45,000 skaters to the attraction at the Designer Outlet.

Organisers at The Ice Factor at the retail park near Naburn said good weather and visitors travelling from across Yorkshire meant it had equalled the 2009 record number of visitors when it was last based at the Eye of York in the city centre.

The ice skating rink closed last night, having been open since the last week of November.

Maria Farrugia, executive producer of The Ice Factor, said: “We think we have managed to do the same as our most successful year, which is fantastic.

“We have wanted to make it a complete day out for the family. We have been able to hold lots more people on the ice as it’s bigger than it was at the Eye of York and people skating have had more space to show off their skills.

“We have had great weather this year. Warm conditions meant we have taken longer to freeze the ice but it’s better for the customer if it’s not too cold. We have not had too much rain either – all in all, it’s been fantastic.”

She said more than 100 schools had been to skate with people travelling from as far afield as Hull, Bradford and Doncaster.

The ice rink moved to the Designer Outlet from the Eye of York in 2010.

To mark the ice skating talent of visitors over the festive season, eight ice skating finalists were invited to compete in a freestyle skate off judged by British international skater Toni Murray, who won the silver medal at the 2010 British championships.

The winner of a trip to see Swan Lake On Ice was a skater from Bradford.

Miss Murray said: “This year’s first ever ice skating championships at York Designer Outlet, has been hugely successful and I believe we have uncovered some brilliant skating talent.”

Satan, acted by Bernie Finch, takes to the ice on a break from the York Dungeon

The Press, York

Satan stunned fellow skaters when he took to the ice at York’s open air Ice Factor rink.

Usually found presiding over his frightfully festive grotto in York Dungeon, Satan relished the opportunity to cool down.

Before taking to the ice, he said: “I thoroughly enjoy wreaking havoc at the York Dungeon, but you get extremely hot in my line of work.

“I’m used to skating on thin ice, so I’m hoping my talents extend to the ice rink.”

Satan’s Grotto features seasonal scares aplenty with live actors and gruesome decorations.

Satan even offers a novel way for guests to pay off their Christmas debts, by inviting them to sell their souls.

The Grotto is open until December 26.