Corby ice rink to skate on after 'thousands' visit over Christmas period

After getting off to a stuttering start back in October - when the ice machine broke days before the rink was due to open - the wintry attraction has since attracted huge crowds.

Now bosses say that it will stay open beyond its planned closing date this weekend until February 23.

Corby town centre manager Dan Pickard said: "It's been a massive success. People have said how brilliant it has been and we've had thousands of visitors. We're so glad they're going to be staying until the end of February.

"The rink was in Bath and in Star City in Birmingham previously so to come to a smaller town like Corby was a big gamble for them.

"The opening was delayed by some weeks because of the issue with needing to get spare parts imported and we know the cost of that was a big investment.

"But then we had some amazing national press and were featured as one of the best rinks in Europe in the Guardian alongside places like Berlin and Budapest. We couldn't believe it!

"We've had some amazing professional skaters on the ice who have really impressed people. Rob who's been running it couldn't have done more to make it a success.

"We also had the Victorian Market which again was a risk for the people who came along. We had to pull some strings to get them here but it went really well and they've told us thay want to come back next year.

"The new virtual reality centre that opened in Corporation Street is also doing really well.

"People have got to support these things if they want them in the town and we're really grateful that so many people have come along and tried them out.

"We know that we have to keep investing in the town if we want it to thrive."

You can book a session on the ice here.