ORGANISERS are urging Town traders to be patient after the temporary ice rink installed on their doorsteps received a chilly reception in some quarters.
A number of Market Square shops claim they lost business because of work on the Sure skating rink, due to open on Saturday.
They believed it would be installed outside trading hours last Sunday but work on the 12.5 x 20 metre rink began on Saturday. A team from Everything Ice Ltd started setting up the structure, which is being gradually filled with 45,000 litres – nearly 10,000 gallons – of water, before sunrise.
The move also affected Saturday’s Big Soup Kitchen Challenge at the Town Markets, which was raising money for Bridge 2 Sri Lanka and the GSPCA. The event had been scheduled for the market’s inner street from 11am but, due to space constraints, the team decided on Friday to move underneath the arches by the square.
The GSPCA’s Jayne Le Cras said they were told not to worry because the equipment was not arriving until after 5pm on Saturday.
‘But by the time we finished at 4pm the complete floor was down, up to right in front of us.’
She said they managed really well until 1.15pm, when the noise became unbearable.
More than 600 portions of soup were sold and £1,850 raised. ‘But they could not have picked a worse time to lay the rink,’ she added.
However, Joy manageress Viki Stunell (pictured) said charities ‘shouldn’t grumble’. ‘It’s the same people who complain there is never anything to do over here,’ she said.
Miss Stunell said despite the chaos, her shop had its best Saturday ever.
‘This is so much better than anything we normally get over here. What do people expect them to do? Build it at North Beach and airlift it into the square?’
She believed a few days of inconvenience was well worth the extra footfall. ‘Those boys are out there in the rain putting that up for us and all they seem to be getting is a hard time. They will never come back at this rate,’ she said.
McAulay Market Buildings Ltd, in partnership with Sure, leases the land from States Property Services. The privately-funded project draws all its power, including installation and an ongoing supply, provided by McAulay.
A meeting with Market traders in mid-September advised of possible disruption.
A spokeswoman for the company explained there were several reasons why Everything Ice Ltd started setting up early.
‘The boat times changed and, knowing the weather conditions were not going to be good over the coming days, they knew it would take longer to put up,’ she said. ‘It’s unfortunate that it clashed with the soup kitchen.’
New Look manageress Marie Taylor said the work was unexpected. ‘I have it in black-and-white that it was going to be constructed on Sunday but pick-up trucks and cranes arrived at 2.30pm on Saturday, which is our peak trade.’
She said there had been a two-foot gap between the crane and the front of her shop and that, combined with the soup kitchen blocking the thoroughfare under the arches, made it nearly impossible to get to the main one of five entrances to the store.
‘It was a nightmare. I could have sent my staff home, we were that quiet. Fingers crossed it will look amazing when it is all done.’
Article posted on 9th December, 2009 - 11.30am
36 Article Comments
It’s good for the goose- however bad for the gander.
Can appreciate the complaints; yet one must be fair; a lot of people will enjoy it:
‘However why take such a central part of St Peter Port?
There must be plenty other places available.
Model yacht for one.
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As a True Guernsey man I believe that the place they have chosen for this event is totally inappropriate. First of all I think the space they are taken up just for the board and the tent itself is too large for the small area available. If for example 200 to 300 hundred people turn up to watch the event at any giving time , and they all stand on the pavement area alongside the shops this will cause a big problem for passing members of the public who are doing there general shopping. More importantly, the other traders on the opposite side leading into the Old Market will also have there business’s affected because they will hardly be noticed when the event is actually up and running.
My eyesight is pretty good but it was only the other day that I noticed myself the signs that have been fitted on the upper part of the walls to advertise what shops are actually in this section.
Surely a bigger place could have been found for this event and also at a much better time of the year.
All comments on this would be greatly appreciated!
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well thats just silly! How can you say “Surely a bigger place could have been found for this event and also at a much better time of the year.”
Its Christmas time, its a christmas event and sport! Its the perfect time of year.
And i think its a good idea having it in the Market as it shows off what has been achieved and a use of space. No one sits outside the Square or anywhere this time of year!
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Exactly Nic….. It’s Christmas
Tis the season to be Jolly! Typical bloody Guernsey Attitude….something a bit different and straight on the “oh it’s not practical” wagon!!
Have they even passed a thought for the logistical/health & safety nightmare this must have been to organise, the team of guys working in all weathers to get it ready, and the look on kids faces when they get to experience something so fun.
Why not let it start before trying to stop it!
Guernsey…….whwre negativity is as common as gauche!
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As a true Guernsey man I believe this is an excellent place have the ice rink. Looking forward to it!
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Nic, Rox, Dean, I couldn’t agree more. Bah humbug to the rest of you.
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It seems I have got a few people’s backs up here, doesn’t it?
Well Nic, thank you for your comment and I take on board what you say.
As for you Rox, there is no need to use the “bloody” word in your response and as for the “Typical Guernsey Attitude” comment made, perhaps you were not born over here? You give me that impression anyway.
I also never said I was trying to stop it, I never mentioned that at all, just wanted to get a bit of feedback from others!
I have been here all my life and still proud to call myself a True Guern.
Just noticed your comment too Dean and I hope you enjoy the event!
I think I will just wait until the whole event is over and done with and see what the shop owners have to say about it. Time will tell I suppose!
And in case you assume I am a town trader in that particular area I can assure you I am not.
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Fantastic, you should think of getting one for the Plaza John,Dancing on Ice,Mini Ice Hockey weekend breaks,face painting, you’ll soon be packing them in ,fantastic invention
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The shops around the Market should be rejoicing. When it is up and running, the rink will create more footfall for them.
It’s Christmas, it’s an attraction, it will draw more people into town, people spend money when they are in town. Simples
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Well Nic, thank you for your comment and I take on board what you say.
As for you Rox, there is no need to use the “bloody” word in your response and as for the “Typical Guernsey Attitude” comment made, perhaps you were not born over here? You give me that impression anyway.
I also never said I was trying to stop it, I never mentioned that at all, just wanted to get a bit of feedback from others!
I have been here all my life and still proud to call myself a True Guern.
Just noticed your comment too Dean and I hope you enjoy the event!
I think I will just wait until the whole event is over and done with and see what the shop owners have to say about it. Time will tell I suppose! And in case you assume I am a town trader in that particular area I can assure you I am not.
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True Guernsey/Dean … by what criteria do you define yourself as a ‘true Guernsey man’? I am so bored with posters on this site making such claims in order to give their comments some kind of gravitas.
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When I first saw the article about the ice rink being set up in Guernsey I couldn’t believe my eyes. Then I cheered.
Then I waited for the negative reactions to kick in. Sadly, here they are.
Wake up guys! Life is what you choose to make of it. If you want to see downsides to everything, you’ll find them. Instead of nit-picking anytime someone tries to do something positive on the island, try to enjoy it instead.
Good on you Viki, Nic, Rox, and Dean. The centre of Town is a fantastic location, and I hope many people turn out to experience the joy of skating.
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I went to the Ice Rink when it was last in the Model Yacht Pond and it was deserted. These things need to be in central places otherwise people can’t be bothered to go. A shame but true.
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Johnny B – in fairness to Dean I think he was being a bit tongue in cheek as a response to True Guernsey’s nom-de-guerre and first post.
Agree totally with your sentiments though and to add some light hearted relief, perhaps I can “answer” your question: To be a “true Guern” I reckon you need to have been born here, never left the island, worn a Guernsey sweater every day since age 5, married your cousin and lived in the same cottage in Torteval for the last 50 years growing tomatoes… ;-)
Then again, as I’m born locally to a Guernsey father and English mother, I suppose my comments are only worth half! I’ve also committed the cardinal offence of marrying a non-local….
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Rdlmare has got it right I think – if you’re going to have it here, it’s got to be central. TL also makes a good point – people will be in the area and I can’t imagine they’ve blocked off access to the shops in the area.
The old saying “you can’t please everyone” comes to mind.
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Well done Viki an appropriate positive response. It’s a great initative for a massively under utilised space.
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Thankfully not being a True Guern I have experienced many beautiful xmas celebrations in other locations and I can tell you this is the best thing to be organised in town for the 20 years I have been here.
Location is key and it is perfect to attract people to a part of town in need of people. Yacht Pond is not the right location on a cold Guernsey evening.
For those who really want to experiece the beauty of xmas, visit Geneva, Luxembourg, Amsterdam and even Manchester at xmas. See the families enjoying themselves and kids for the first time in their life trying to skate. shopping in hand, mince pies, a hot drink and smiling faces..probably a first for Guernsey Eh..
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Thanks Paul Le Page for pointing that out, and Johnny B – I agree, being a true ‘Guernsey Man’ adds no weight to ones arguament. In fact it just makes you look like a ‘cousin marrying, Guernsey sweater wearing cretin’…
…and True Guernsey, I assume you must be some sort of ‘town trader’ from the area, judging by your comments?
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This is what town could be like with the right management
http://www.simplygroups.co.uk/images/Christmas%20Market.jpg
Unfortunately with the continued interference of Constables, Douzaines, associations and no real powerful figure in St Peter Port the heart of the island will go nowhere.
St Peter Port needs a positive, charismatic individual, unencumbered by self interest groups with executive powers to take Town on and turn it into something special.
Lady Mayor Stunell anyone?
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i think it is a great concept. i am a local man living in Austria with an ice rink right on my doorstep, and i just love to turn into “robin cousins” on a saturday afternoon!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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As a true Guernsey woman and as a skater for many years, I disagree first of all at someones comment that this is a christmas sport, this it is not!! Having visited the rink last night, it actually occured to me how small it actually was. 100 people at a time on it is going to be extremely dangerous. All I can say is that A&E will be very busy over the next few weeks.
Don’t get me wrong I am all for an Ice rink, I campaigned for many years to get a rink built in Guernsey and when it was down the Model Yaght Pond I was down there almost every day supporting it and enjoying it. That one was such a great size and contrary to another persons comment, it was always busy. I just find this rink is in the wrong place and way to small for the number of people allowed to use it at any one time.
I applause the people who have organised the whole event but I think a bigger location and rink could have been found.
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Fancy bringing “What Constitutes a True Guern” into a converation about ice rinks!!! Now that IS typical!!
I hope that everyone has a lovely time – it is a magical place to have this rink, and I think the right one too! Perhaps this may generate a bit of trade to the shops; but if it dosen’t well – you can’t put the blame on an ice rink surely?
Happy Christmas everyone.
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Looked popular yesterday. Would have brought trade to the shops too.
What’s the argument?
They build a ski slope in Dubai and everyone falls over in admiration, yet a teeny ice rink in a square in Guernsey provokes consternation?
uh?
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Actually i think the vast majority are ok with this. Its just the odd one that says something against it then out comes the “this is typical Guernsey attitude brigade” when all i hear is what a good idea it is, which it is.
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If people who have never skated; did get a chance to skate; then attitudes would change.
It is a sport; I’ve skated in Glasgow at Kelvin Hall_ and many other places in the UK, and in places in Europe.
It’s great;
People insist in saying it must be central; well– a little unfair if you liven at Torte val or L’ancresse: my point being; Central for those living central.
However well done and many are enjoying the once in a while bit of Fun.
Merry Christmas to you all; be careful. Ice is hard if you fall..
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I hope SJA and the PEH are ready! We have had the Sure Skate Rink in the Isle of Man for a few weeks now and the Ambulance Service have been called 6 or 7 times and the A&E Dept at the main hospital report up to 60 incidents related to the skate rink. Mostly broken/sprained ankles and wrists, but they have also had a severed finger where someone fell over and another person skated over their hand……
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I think it should carry on up Market Street, round the top of the Market, coming down Fountain Street on a gradually rising platform.
This will bring it to the same height as the top of the steps by HMV allowing it to swing past said shop and finish where it begun.
What a cracking race track that would make;-
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Andrew – It needs to be in a prominent position for xmas period to spruce up what normally is the most boring part of town during a festive period.
If anyone saw the Castel school skids yesterday and the enjoyment they all had to skate for the first time then no doubt like me you will be hoping this becomes part of a SPP Christmas.
Andrew – it is skating and you will get accidents as you will any winter sport but its strange when I ask my IOM colleagues that none are aware of severed fingers…scaremongering, negativity…thankfully we do not have the death sport that is the TT
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I agree with Skater girl;
A bigger and better place should be found, and there are many places,
The small garden at the Arsenal, after all no one is there in winter time.
The Odeon (now a parking place) tough luck, why should motorists have privileges.
The long Churchill avenue at Cambridge park, make it useful not a memory.
Take part of the North beech place, after all it was said it was for the people, not the privileged.
And please don’t come with the old tale of no parking; where the rink is now has no parking either.
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sarnia expat – I see your point however I think the response was valid in the context that one of the original posters appeared to justify their opposition by their “true” Guernsey-ness.
By way of response to bcb, I don’t actually think those views do represent “a typical Guernsey attitude.” Au contraire, they are the views of an individual who, by their post, seems to think that because they fulfil certain demographic criteria (yet to be established) they therefore speak for all of us – which they don’t.
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I see the ice rink got approx 2000 visitors in its first weekend….great turnout, even if some were probably repeat visits. No mention of a rush on A&E either – does anyone know of any accidents?
The island should consider more such events in future, and not just ice rinks. In my opinion diverse short-term attractions such as this are better suited to a small island like Guernsey than investing a fortune in longer-term ventures.
The problem with long-term investments on specialist attractions is that there isn’t the size of population to support them long term. They attract a large number of people at the start based on the novelty factor, then gradually decline before eventually losing viability.
Having a variety of short-term attractions such as the ice rink gives a chance for people to try something different, while protecting the investors from the inevitable decline. Everyone’s a winner! :-)
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Went there last night with the family and had a great time. Funny to see how people crawled along the rail as they entered the ice but within 20 minutes were flying around. Perfectly crisp night, great family atmosphere, no wind and very well organised.
Well done Sure good event.
Neil
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Paul Le Page
That was my point
One person says it`s a typical Guernsey attitude when they read one or two comments. Which is just plain daft. The ones against dont represent anyone other than themselves and not a “Guernsey attitude”.
I think it is a great idea and so do most of the people i speak to. Maybe thats also a typical Guernsey attitude? :)
Merry Xmas.
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I think you’re right bcb….and a very Merry Christmas to you too! :)
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I have now tested the ice rink and can reveal that despite being a true Guernsey man, I really enjoyed it. I second Neil Inder’s comments about the atmosphere and organisation.
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Dean
Thats just a typical Guernsey attitude, shame on you:).
What do ya think Rox?
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