SOUTHAMPTON’S new ice rink has been a skate success for the city, figures have revealed.

The Skate ice rink at Westquay has seen on average 5,500 visitors a week since it opened –and a total of 30,000 altogether.

Managers at the Esplanade venue outside Westquay South say they are “very happy” - and say the rink could return next year.

It comes as city retailers revealed that Westquay received bumper numbers of visitors last weekend with in excess of 100,000 shoppers spending their hard-earned cash in the centre on December 16.

And the German Christmas bar and grill will be staying open an extra day on Christmas Eve due to “huge success” and popular demand.

Skate manager Laurie Scott said part of the ice rink’s attraction has been the “beautiful” location next to the old city walls.

He said: “We’ve had more than we could have hoped for.

“It’s been really good and we are very happy.

“The people of Southampton are fantastic –and they’ve obviously been crying out for an ice rink since the last one left 29 years ago.

“Everyone is very happy.”

Destiny and Laura Kirkpatrick were visiting friends in Shirley and had come down to the ice rink as part of a seasonal day trip.

Destiny, 13, said: “It’s really good.

“We’ve had a lovely time, it’s been really nice seeing the new shopping centre.

“It’s better than I thought it would be.”

Andy Collyer, general manager, of Westquay, said: “There really isn’t a more festive way to celebrate Christmas than being out on Westquay’s Ice Rink, which the public has proven, as we have seen over 30,000 visitors get their skates on since opening.

“We are ecstatic that visitors have seized the opportunity to come along and get out on the ice, especially as this is a first for the centre.”

Chair of the Southampton Business Board at Hampshire Chamber of Commerce Sandeep Sesodia said the initiatives “are to be welcomed”.

He added: “‘The success of these activities is a further fine example of the business community working together, to develop and promote the attractiveness of the City Centre at this important time of the year.

“The support provided by the city council and the benefit to the local economy cannot be underestimated.

The rink, which costs £11 for an hour’s skating, is open until January 2.