Ice rink and log cabins popular with shoppers

Christmas market in log cabins on The Butts

1 More Image(s) In Gallery

For the last shopping weekend before Christmas, The Butts in Rochdale town centre has been transformed to include an ice rink and log cabins selling Christmas goods and food to shoppers.

To go ice-skating free, you show a receipt for the value of £5 for goods purchased in Rochdale town centre during the month of December.

Log cabins are lined along The Butts providing Christmas food and drink and give shoppers the chance to buy any last minute Christmas gifts.

Today, Rochdale Online spoke to some of those using the ice rink and looking through the festive Christmas market:

Kerry Mills said: “It is a nice idea. We spent the money shopping and then decide to come down here and I think that’s a good idea. I think it’s nice for the town as well at this time of year.”

Jenny Desai, whose children were using the ice rink, said: “It is a really good idea. It's fun for the kids and it makes the town a bit more festive. The market idea is really good as well.”

Grant Bruce, who was ice-skating after some shopping in town, said: “It's brilliant. I think the ice-skating is better than the markets and I would come again if they did it next year. I just think it should be bigger next year.”

Tracy Bollington, who was more interested in the markets than the ice rink, said: “It's nice. We’re just having a look around whilst we’re in town.”

Adele Cavanagh said: “Its definitely a good idea for the town.”

Jack Clegg was very positive about today’s attractions in town. He said: “It's good fun and it's good for the kids. The ice isn’t real ice so if you fall it doesn’t hurt, which will attract people to go skating. The markets are also good.”

The ice rink and the log cabins will be on The Butts until Monday 23 December.

The ice rink is open:

22 December 11am – 4pm
Monday 23 December 10am – 6pm