IT is the Christmas market that has been hammered by city bosses as “underwhelming” while its organisers have been told to “shape up or ship out”.

But a last minute bid to bring winter magic to the centre of Southampton has been dashed by red tape.

Woolston-based firm Blades Skating attempted to bring a temporary skating rink to the city centre to compliment the Christmas market.

But S.M.T Management Consultants, which runs the Christmas market, was told by Southampton City Council it was too late to set up a temporary rink after pitching the idea.

The management team at Blades Skating were keen to bring skating to Southampton following the success of its rink at the Toby Carvery in Bishopstoke, as featured in the Daily Echo.

The blow comes just weeks after market operators were told by council chiefs to “shape up or ship out” after being “underwhelmed” by this year's annual bazaar.

However council leader Cllr Simon Letts said there could be an opportunity to set up a rink in Southampton next Christmas.

As reported, Southampton has been struggling with a lack of Christmas spirit this year with tourists flocking to Winchester's Christmas market and ice rink while hundreds of people headed for the lights switch-on in Portsmouth.

Daily Echo:

Southampton Christmas Market

One trader at Southampton Christmas market, who asked not to be named, said: “It's a shame that there won't be an ice rink. Traders are going to be upset about it because it would have added a family and Christmas feel to the city.”

Rebecca Taylor, from Blades Skating, said an ice rink in the centre of Southampton would add to the Christmas spirit.

She said: “At the Toby Carvery, everyone is loving it. The city centre would be even better.

“It would be great for us but at the same time we are doing really well in Bishopstoke.”

Cllr Letts said he had not heard of the interest of bringing a rink to Southampton, adding any bid is too late.

Daily Echo: Cllr Simon Letts

Cllr Simon Letts

He said: “We have tried three times with ice rinks in Southampton - one in the Guildhall car park, one in Guildhall Square, and one in the Bargate.

“Not one of the operators wanted to return because they were not making money on the locations.

“We are running out of people to do it. The one at Winchester is profitable as it is in a beautiful setting within Winchester Cathedral.

“If we can find a suitable location it may be something to look at again.

“It's too late (for a rink) now. If they get in touch, we can have a conversation but it will be for next year.”

A spokesman for Southampton City Council said: “The 'ice rink' that was suggested for the city centre is in fact a synthetic rink - not a genuine temporary ice rink.

“The proposal to install one was only pitched to us late last week by the operators who run the Christmas Market. As these things take proper planning and organisation to do them justice, the suggestion to install one came too late to implement this year.”