The ‘Christmas in Cambridge’ attraction on Parker’s Piece during November and December proved immensely popular with residents and visitors during its time on the landmark city centre park over the festive period.

The operators Seventa Ltd have reported that there were approximately 400,000 visits to the attraction as a whole, an increase of around 25% from the previous year, and around 55,000 people enjoyed skating on the centrepiece ice rink. 

Under the terms of Seventa’s agreement with Cambridge City Council, the attraction was safely dismantled and removed by 14 January.

As in previous years, the council is now undertaking remedial work to restore areas of grass affected by the attraction’s visit, with the cost being met by the operator.

The site has already been chain harrowed to level the surface, and the ground conditions will now be monitored and given sufficient time to dry out before the council undertakes further work involving aeration and reseeding. The aim is to restore this part of Parker’s Piece fully back into public use during the spring.

Cllr Martin Smart, Cabinet Member for Nature, Open Space and City Services, said: “It was wonderful to see so many people of all ages enjoying the Christmas in Cambridge attraction over the festive season and making memories with friends and family. Being able to provide large-scale free-to-enter attractions like this is a real privilege for the council, as is seeing the fun and excitement that 'Christmas In Cambridge' generated during the darkest months of the year. In addition the number of people visiting the attraction will have provided a seasonal boost to other shops, restaurants and visitor attractions in the city centre at one of the most important times of year for the local economy.

“Now that the attraction has departed Parker’s Piece until next Christmas, our council teams will be working hard to restore affected areas of the park as quickly as possible in time for the warmer months.”