CLARKS Village has officially opened its Christmas ice rink.

The occasion featured an inclusive skating session for 80 guests from South West disability groups ahead of opening to the public.

Families attended from Children’s Hospice South West, bibic - which supports children with brain injuries and disabilities - and Nova Sports and Coaching, which offers inclusive sport to people with disabilities, and members of the Bath Romans Wheelchair Basketball Club teams.

To mark the launch, Clarks Village switched on its Christmas lights alongside hosting a festive market, which returns on Friday, November 24, until Christmas.

Centre director Chris Davis said: "The ice rink brings a completely new element to the outlet – a festive and fun activity for family and friends to enjoy together whether they’re coming just to skate or as part of a Christmas shopping day out.

“The launch session was a fantastic experience to begin our celebrations this year, welcoming disability groups on to the ice.

"The ice rink is an inclusive place to visit and enjoy and we’re proud that every skating session is wheelchair friendly and we also hold regular quiet sessions.

"It’s wonderful to see so many guests enjoying the ice and hopefully creating some very magical memories to start off the Christmas season.”

Kylie Gallagher, of Children's Hospice South West, said: “What a special start to the Christmas period, helping local families make precious memories together, which they will treasure for a lifetime.”

Alex Johnson, of Nova Sports, said: “The whole activity was so inclusive for every participant and their needs”.

Richard McVicker, of the Bath Romans Wheelchair Basketball Team, said: “It was the best of fun, watching all the young ones have so many laughs and giggles and becoming one of them for the day."

Rosie Oliver, 14, from Wells, said: “It was amazing and good fun.”

The Clarks Village ice rink is open daily, excluding Christmas Day, from now until January 7.

Ice-skating sessions are 45 minutes and are pre-bookable with skate hire included.

The ice rink will offer quiet sessions, discos and parent and toddler sessions. Penguin and seal skating aids are available for hire as well as bob skates to help guests stay steady. The ice rink is also wheelchair accessible. For those looking for larger private parties, the ice rink is also available for exclusive hire.

For more details or to book a session, visit: https://clarksvillage.co.uk/ice-rink-2023