A “MAGICAL” winter wonderland with an authentic ice rink and an Alpine-themed bar could be skating its way to Southampton.

Ambitious plans to install a real ice rink in the city centre have been lodged with civic chiefs.

The 730sqm frozen facility, which is bigger than three tennis courts, could be set up as part of a new festive area at Westquay.

Capable of holding up to 250 people at a time, the seven day-a-week facility is planned to be open between November and January.

If given the go-ahead, the ice rink will be built along the old wall at the shopping centre.

It will be accompanied by an Alpine Cafe Bar - which will serve up everything from creamy hot chocolates to festive mulled wine.

The plans have submitted by experienced ice rink operators, SKATE.

A spokesperson for the company, which has previously set up rinks in Portsmouth and Bournemouth, said: “We are hopeful that we get the planning permission. Providing that’s successful, we are very excited to bring our offer to Southampton.

“It’s a large city and we think it will be very well received.

“We think along with the Alpine Bar it will mix in well with the current offering at Westquay.”

Subject to planning permission, the real ice rink will be in place for seven weeks from November 11.

However the extensive set-up will begin as early as October 30.

In SKATE’s application to Southampton City Council, the company intends to create a “magical and festive atmosphere” with themed lighting of the rink and the surrounding areas.

The company also plans to decorate the area and play Christmas music while open to members of the public. It says it hopes to sell a “festive experience; not solely ice skating”.

The company aims to put on nine hour-long sessions a day, seven days a week for a seven-week period - although it will be closed on Christmas Day.

Tickets for an hour skate are set to cost £11 per adult, £10 concessions and £9 for children - and include skate hire.

Opening hours for the whole site will be 10.30am until 11pm, with the last skate session finishing at 10pm.

Commenting on the plans, Southampton City Council’s cabinet member for communities, culture and leisure, Satvir Kaur said: “I’m really pleased companies like this want to come to Southampton.

“An ice rink will add to Southampton’s already superb Christmas offering.“We were voted the fourth most Christmassy city in the UK last year, so hopefully this will push us even higher.“I’m sure it will bring visitors into the city as well as get many residents putting their skates on.”

The planning application will be decided in the coming weeks.