Christmas 2008

Ally
Im really disappointed, it was something to look forward to!! who is to blame!!??

Gemma
I've just found out that ice skating is not on this year. Was really looking forward to having a go with my boyfriend. Very disappointed!

Susane Taylor
How very sad. We have been for the last two years with our sons, and grandchildren. It was a great day out and made for the most Christmassy feeling. I am so disappointed.

paul leicester
my children were gutted about the ice not being there,it wont be the same visiting the german market without it boooooooooooooo.

Van
What a joke..I was planning on going with all my friends for my 18th birthday and as a festive treat, to get more into the "christmassy" mood but obviously not anymore.. ive never been either. Went to go last year and it closed just as i got there :@:@Hopefully one day i can!

Satish
Was really looking forward to visiting it this year with my daughter. so disappointed. Birmingham Council make sure you bring it back next year! No buts or if!

Simon
Thanks again, Gordon Brown, for this.

dh
was really looking forward to goin :(

holly
i really missn the ice skating rink because i used to go every year and i was going to go there on the 14th december but i can't now im gutted

???
Cant believe its not there, didnt get to go last year and really wanted to this year.. how dissapointing!!

aleesha
this is so stupid and annoying

martin
Come to redditch and skate there. small rink but still fun plus the market on 16th, 17t and 18th has other attractions. see the goredditch website for info.

hannah
this is stupid,, i went last year and i loved it,, i was ganna bring loads of my mates this year.. Please get a sponsor

Barry
Typical of the lack of ambition of our present civic leaders. They let us down time and again.

Jane Bourne
NO WAY!

lizzy
i cant believe its not gonna be there! i love it :(i go every year, well i used to :'( x

Gemma Currie
This is rubbish... i miss it a lot.

GINDA GILL
I AM NOT HAPPY!!I LOVE SKATING! as a pro skater, im utterly ashamed and will be writing to you in person street ice!my abilities on the ice have flown since this opened from back flips and lunges and also the splits!! ashamed of you ALWAYS!!!govinda gill,bham resident

Sannie
thats jus depressing =\.i loved street ice =( get it back t-mobile u URGH.

laura
thats rubbish

Yazmyn
very upset i wanted to celebrate my birthday there :(

Vicky
Gutted. I've always wanted to go and this was the first year that i was actually able to. I was going totake my younger brothers so I googled the rink to find out opening times and was devistated to find out that it wasnt there this year. Lets hope next year brings better luck!! :(

amy sumel
the ice rink let people come together and celebrate, it would be a good idea to bring it back!!! i'm sure with all the money wasted on immigrants we can spare some for birmingham!! at least let us have something alot of people enjoyed!!!

David
I think it's a health and safety thing because people kept falling down on the ice. Same with the Canal Boat parade with the possibility of someone falling in the cut, soon the Frankfurt Market will be banned in case someone chokes on a sausage.

Lewis Maull
Well quite clearly the ice rink has been a huge success over the past few years. With this in mind and with the fact that it attracts people from all over the country, thus bringing in substantial profit i can't believe that a sponser could not be found. Just from a brief read of any of the comments already posted proves that it was popular and will be missed. It also provided some pre-christmas fun that could be enjoyed by people of many ages and also, could be used to develop people's skills. For example, balance, reaction time and social cohesion are all skills that can be trained by ice skating. Also in my personal opinion it just feels as though something is missing from the birmingham christmas that i have enjoyed for the past several years. I used to enjoy watching the shows on there and had planned to go there this year with my universtiy friends who haven't seen it before. They will now be sorely dissappointed! I think t-mobile should renew the contract.

Guy
Thats such a shame, as it really made Birmingham feel Christmasy....Lets hope its back next year!!!

Glennie142
Yet again Birmingham lags behind other cities. The Ice Rink was a tourist attraction, bit like the Big Whell that Birmingham let go off. Yet again Birmingham comes in last. Councillors take note, Birmingham City can be the best could be the best so stop penny pinching, and remember Birmingham's Motto Lets go Forward.

Tara and Brendan Pooni
i think this is terrible that the ice ring is not out this year. We loved to skate round in circles and have fun, so we are wery sad about this. Brendan and tara aged 10 and 8.

Andrea
That is a very bad news for me, i have been looking forward to it for ages!! I have been visiting it for the last two years and had always had a brilient time. I now have no choice but to travel to Solihull Indoors Ice Ring which is a bit pain in the neck given that I live in Moseley.

Louise
awww, it bettter be there next year or ill be a sponsor!

rosie and nicole
its realy cool and we love it!!!!!!!!!! im realy sad to see the ice ring go waah waah waah.bey :)

kieran
i hate it

Stephen
I can't understand why this enterprise couldn't be self-funding. In 2006/07 it cost £5 per person for a 45 minute session if I remember correctly, not sure how much it was last year. It cost more to pay on the day.If 60,000 people attended last year that is around £300,000. Could this not work without a sponsor?

Karen Jones
I moved from Edinburgh in July just so that I could go to Birmingham's Ice Rink. Giving up my job and leaving my friends was a big sacrifice. Maybe I will have to move to Nottingham now, but with the credit crunch it will be ahrd. What am I going to tell the kids back in Edinburgh. There social worker will be gutted as he was going to bring them down for the weekend. Life will never be the same - shame on you T Mobile family breaker :-(

Jennifer
awwwwww My son is gonna be so upset wen i tell him tomorrow, I was taking him ice skating on Tuesday as a day out for his eid :(

Tara
Gutted :( Used to go every year and really enjoyed it!

.....
that is awful! it is such a good attraction for everyone! FIND A SPONSOR NOW!

Sean N
That just ridiculous.I used be walk pass ice rank every morning and every night from Monday to Friday when I go to work. But there wasn't there now and I feeling something was missing, obvious, ice rank.I think they need to do ice rank, mainly for young people. So young people have something to do, which keep make them away from the trouble. Hopefully there an ice rank at next year! That just disappointed, really.

Brianne
What a shame and a hugh let down for Birmingham and it's many residents.

mike
nnnnnooooooo i loved it

chloe
awww thats a shame me and my friends was going to go for my mates birthday

Jackie
Flabbergasted - I am a Midlands mum with grown up kids - who was looking forward to going down there with friends and family and tottering round - I love to see everyone enjoying themselves - it creates such a wonderful atmosphere.What happened to the money from last year - there must have been some left. Why can't B'ham City Council pay for it themselves? Bring back Street Ice next year - we will need it!!! Yours deeply disappointed with Birmingham this year.

Tom Barter
We need the rink back! Birmingham should be the place to be at Christmas time and last year felt like it was but without the ice rink it doesn't quite feel the same. 60,000 people a year can't be wrong. Surely it pays for itself?

Lesley Knowles
Really disappointed to hear the ice rink is not there I promised my 6 year old daughter I would teach her to skate there this year.:(

FAISAL
Simply ridiculous. That was an excellent attraction and for it not to be back, is a let down

N Billingham
just looked on the internet to find details of birmingham outdoor ice rink ,as my daughter wanted to take her friends there for her birthday party , only to find it wil not be on this year , she will be disapointed when i tell her.

Ian
Typical , one attraction for the whole family to enjoy & the council fail to supply.They probably want to save the money to support more nightclubs/lapdancing establishments.

jennie croucher
my family and friends spent the evening at planetice 2006,we had a wonderful and fun eve,pity its not back again this year...

Claire
Really disappointed!!!! My friend is coming up from London and we were going to start our xmas festivities with some ice skating at the weekend before hitting the market. Then I discovered this page! Birmingham is the UK’s 2nd largest city, is it really that difficult to prepare in advance for an event that has justified its existence by significant visitor figures? Perhaps my maths are wrong, but if the rink attracted 60,000 visitors last year @ £7 per adult that’s £420,000. If half these visitors are children then that’s at least £360,000. And needless to say I am sure the prices would have gone up this year….

Danni
This is outragous i can't believe there isn't going to be an ice-rink this year!Me and about 7 of my friends were going to go to it, and now our christmas is ruined, it just won't be the same without going ice-skating at an outdoor ice rink set up soley for christmas.I'm very upset and angry at this and next year a will be even more angry if the rink does not return.

beth [&+] catherinee
you ruined my bday party. street icee was the best asiff you stopped it it wont be the sme nw

Karen
Arriving at weekend...Been coming to Bham for last three years for a pre-xmas treat! my kids will be very dissapointed to find no Street Ice!!! Shocking

Grace
Practically everyone I know goes to Birmingham Street Ice every year. I myself went four times last year and am devistated it won't be there this year. It's the perfect end of a university term. My housemates and I were planning on spending an evening at the Frankfurt Market, have a lovely meal and go to the icerink to celebrate Christmas, a much earned break and the end of term. It's become a tradition of ours over the last three years and it just won't be the same this year!

corinne
why no canal boat christmaslight parade either is notgood enough two family events not on this year!!

Raymond Tamesis
Its bad that there is no Ice Skating in the city centre this year. I have 7kids who were excited to go this year and they are all disappointed. hmmp.

Jilli
OMG the ice rink was not THERE WHY??? it was the best thing there for people who dont like shopping !!BRING IT BACK !!!!!!!

Jos Green
Second City - but third rate treatment for the people!Once again Birmingham comes off worse in promoting itself as a viable second city contender!I don't even skate but I know loads who do and know how popular it has been. I am an FE lecturer in Sandwell and for the last three years we have taken groups of students to the skating and they have had a great time. It's a really fun way for them to bond and get to know other students. It's easy for us to get there and the staff can have a good time too. I appreciate the German Market is an alternative but doesn't suit all people especially young people without much to spend. We are now looking at going to that equally world famous city to try and have some festive cheer - Redditch! And don't I have to complete loads of paperwork to get students to go out of the City!. There's so many people around Brum who would use the facility I don't know why the council can't fund the rink itself! Bah humbug to the lot of 'em!!!!!!!!!!!Jos Green

Faith
This is such a shame, it gave a brilliant boost to the economy for Birmingham and the German market isn't as special as now as the people all speak english not german :(bring back street ice ?:P

Lindsey
I was really looking forward to coming home this year and going skating with friends,. I'm gutted! The out door rink in Swansea is tiny. :(

Laura
Gutted, this is a good outing for all ages and groups of uni students that like myself will be going home for christmas and is always a good time!! Not all people like to go out and getting wasted and its a good non drinking event going down the market and ice skating for our last outing before we all go home. The goverment are trying to get us to watch our drinking intake then why take away events in the city that are good. If you go down broad st this was one of the only things you could do with out drinking and talk having a laugh. The cinema is there but you cant talk so everyone goes to bars to talk. For the last three years it has been a christmas tradition and for our last year it will not be the same without the ice rink there!!

karen hayward
It made Birmingham so full of the feeling of Christmas, it was a treat for all my family. Will have to go somewhere else this year.

suzanne
travel to Brum every year for this. Looks like it's London this year then....such a shame

Inderjit
Absolutley ridiculous!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Edwin
Well done BCC at least you have made a decision, i don't want to pay any extra council tax and with the credit crinch it would be empty this year im sure. All companies have stopped sponsorship at the moment shame but better than going bust!

christianna
gutteddddddd.i really wanted to go this year do it every year.Bring it bacccck!

Joanne Harper
Bring back Street Ice - have been the last two years and have had so much fun!

Fran
cant believe it im sooooo sad.im going to cry myself to sleeeep now :(ben fran holly jess

lizzy
absoloubtly gutted ... i was really looking forward to going ice skating out doors again this christmas its a tradition :-(

Delia Jones
What!!!!!!!!!!!I say the campaign starts now....Facebook group will be created for the Rink Revival. We may not manage it for 2008 but we won't give up without a try.WHAT DO WE WANT?AN ICE RINK.WHEN DO WE WANT IT?NOW.

kurt
aaw im ment to be going there on dec 3rd for ma 12 birth day but not gonna be there :(

Jess
Really Sad 2 Hearrr That THe Ice Rink Ent There , Iv Never Been And Have Been Looking Forward 2 Going With My Mates This Year Cause Of The Ice Rink As I Only Went Ice Skatingg Lastt Week And Got Very Gurdd , Only To Be Told That The Ice Rink Ent Gonna Be ThereI Think You Shud Get It Thereasap

tamika
i think this diabolical an u should be ashamed :( i have rouned christmas for alot of people

Olivia, aged 10
I went ice-skating for my birthday last year in Solihull, but I would prefer to go to the Street Ice as it looks nicer and safer. I think the BBC should sponsor as they are normally supportive of local attractions.

david
were did the money go received from the skating this should have met expences !

Pipi Long
Naaa mam, naa. was well lukin 4ward 2 it. u get me blood. Me tinks it will b there nxt i ope. so for now i will be eatin me rice peas and fried chicken.

samantha graham
this is devastating... for the last three years my family and friends (about 35 of us) meet for the last session on christmas eve. this was becoming a tradition... what will we do now!!!!!

Vicky
and what will happen next year no german market??? it was a fantastic attraction just like the wheel!!! we may not be london but if you want to birmingham on the map how else are we supposed to do it... well im certainly thinking about not living in brum any more!!

Pam
Very Dissapointed...what a let down for the city and its residents/visitors!! I was looking forward to going to this and showing visitors to the area what Bham was like.

katie
this is soooo stupidd aleastt theyy r getting moneyyy soo arhhh :@BRING IT BK

Sar
Shame!! it was ace, them tight pocketed people who refuse to sponser need to get into the xmas spirit and sort this out! we want our ice rink back

Marc
Such a shame - tmob could have utilised this and really made a name for themselves

Sarah
No Wheel? No Ice rink? I'm ashamed of my childhood city. 2nd city? Where's your vision Birmingham? Sounds like B'ham council are being far too greedy and expecting the sponsors to pay too much and scared them off. Oh well the 13 of us who now live in Lancashire and Wiltshire who were planning to meet up at this half way point as we usually do to ice skate, spend our money in the xmas sales and use the lovely restaurants around the canal will meet elsewhere - Stoke Trentham Park has got an ice rink this year in lovely surroundings....

Rowena :)
I'm so sad i planned to go skating for my 12th birthday.Now i can't! :(

Nick
www.birminghamiceskating.co.uk concerns Birmingham's lack of an ice rink. Add your name to a list of those wanting one.

........
please try and get some sponsers i am sure you will ave a good turn out if you dooo!!!!!!:)

Laura Payne
Typical! The year that i am able to come, and have been looking forward to since it closed last year, it doesn't come back! Great! :-(

safia
bring it back please coz i has plan for my birthday to bring friends there but my life is over.please... :( it is so fun best ever

Angela Baugh
I just dont believe it. No Street Ice. Well there goes a big revenue for the city. It was very popular indeed and my girls went several times.Surely Orange or any other mobile phone company could have sponsored it. They are making money faster than any other business even in the recession.

amanda
What a surprise.Birmingham city council never fails to amaze me!!!

alison
Who actually pocketed the money that everyone had to pay to skate.......? Surely that money would have gone a long way to paying for the rink to return this year. The queues were constant throughout the day so the rink had plenty of willing payees who enjoyed every minute of it. B'ham council need to put their hands in the money pot raised from the last 3 years and book it ready for next xmas.......

hannah :)
omg!it gave kids summit to do on friday nights,it was brilliant, i wne tlike 7 times last year!well worth it,BRING IT BACK!

Chris
BIRMINGHAM - supposed to be the 2nd city - get real - 2nd rate ! yet another poor decision It should have an indoor skating rink - and one that is the best in the country , rather than the ruin of the old one sitting empty year on year and skaters having to travel to Solihull or further afield !Now it can't even be bothered to put his successful outdoor one one back for xmas ...... No vision for anything outside retail ......Perhaps other smaller towns should take the lead in this area? we just no where near a 2nd city

rebecca age 11
hello i really want the ice rink back because i alwas do on my birthday and now i will have no where to go (i will sponcer them)

Rachel
I was extremely disappointed to discover the news on the Ice Rink's non return. It is a christmas highlight for my children . It is a fabulous attraction for the city surely the council could have supported such a beneficial activity which also keeps us fit!!!!

Mike Degg
Gutted!! Loved taking the missus for a skate at Christmas, plus there's nothing like watching people fall over lol - but on a serious not im sure there is some one out there willing to sponsor it again this year, even if it was more than one sponsor this time, BRING BACK THE ICE RINK IN TOWN TOO!! We are the only city not to have a permanent ice rink!!

Mike Degg
Gutted!! Loved taking the missus for a skate at Christmas, plus there's nothing like watching people fall over lol - but on a serious not im sure there is some one out there willing to sponsor it again this year, even if it was more than one sponsor this time, BRING BACK THE ICE RINK IN TOWN TOO!! We are the only city not to have a permanent ice rink!!

Millsie
Discracfull And They Wonder Why Kids Hang About On The Street NOTHING TO DOOOO

-
tmobile are scrooges for not sponsering the icerink this year. i will be changing my contract to o2, i suggest everybody else does to.

jane falkner
please try to bring this attraction back it is a great christmasy evening out for the family going to see the lights german market and then for an hours fun ice skating i am gutted that it isnt comming back!

Jo
This was to be our first visit back to B'ham for quite a while and we wanted to visit the rink with my 3 year old. What a shame - I worked for Birmingham CC for a while and they would have at least broke even. It seems the world revolves around profit these days not family values which of course we all want to get back to. BCC listen to your rate payers not your bank managers.

Sally Bradshaw
What a shame!! My 15 year old son loved coming to the outdoor ice rink. It was such a pleasure to see everyone on the ice having fun, smiling and laughing, and falling over! It attracted all ages from toddlers to pensioners. A great community feel people comimg together at Christmas. Needed all the more this year in times of "credit crunch" Very dissapointed!

Kathleen Winters
Come on Birmingham City Council,Let the people of Birmingham have our Street Ice back, surely if you can agree to the German Market being in centenary Square, then give something back to us who support it every year! BAH HUMBUG comes to mind!

JEN & NATH
WE ARE REALLY USPET IM CRYING AS IM WRITING THIS I HAD ALREADY PUCHASED SOME BRAND NEW ICE SKATES THEY AND VERY SHINY AND I WANT TO USE THEM...WHERE AM I SUPPOSED TO SKATE AND FEEL FESTIVE NOW....?

Kelly
OMG!! :(The lead up to Christmas won't be the same without it.

Sue Bastin
We are running a Skating rink on artificial "ice" in Cheltenham from now until 4th January, only 50 minutes from Birmingham and Cheltenham is great for shopping. Our website is www.skatecheltenham.co.uk for those disappointed regarding the above.

laurenn
this isnt fair at all. every year they have had 1 and i was goin to take 3 of my mates there cuz they have never been on the ice rink in birmingham now i have to tell them we am gnna be jst walkin around the german market this has really made me angry and i hope in the futher it would be there im not very happy

Manisha
What the hell? ii was looking forward to it as well, ii as planning to go with my bf!!You've ruined Christmas :(

Emily Mason
I'm very upset about this, I'm no longer living near birmingham but was coming home especially for this and the German Market! It is a great this to have at christmas and it is stupid that it will not be there this year!

charlotte and paul
disappointing, even cardif have one and thats in wales!!

Amanda
Obviously not a big enough mooney spinner for the council members!

Lee Stevens
the council should help they waste money on every think else so why not this

joeanne bagshaw
im gutted i take my children to it every year. its something they looked forward to !!

Mrs Katrina Dix
Well that is just typical, we do not live in Birmingham and there is not much in the way on Ice Skating where we live, and this year were thinking of attending the Ice Skating in Birmingham as I heard it was good, and yet again something fun has been withdrawn, what a rubbish decission, surely the money made from it last year could of helped towards the running costs of it for this year, you can be a profit was made..

Rob Clarke
yehh, admittedly, abit gutted that it's not on, but everybody is acting like it was t-mobile's responsibility to do this, they are allowed to quit if they want.

Jan
What a shame! My grand daughter is heartbroken and so is everyone else I know. Surely the number of people that use it must generate enormous interest and income for the city. I will not be bothering to visit town now this Christmas as it just wont be the same. Please try and bring it back next year.

Steve Davies
What a shame - my 5 year old daughter was asking about it. Simply the best event done.

A + H
this is so stupid! This was going to be my first year at the rink! I have only just moved to Birmingham. I am really dissapointed as I could have gone to the xmas market then to the street ice rink! THIS IS REALLY BAD AND TOTALLY DISSAPOINTING!Hope they find a sponsor for 2009 - bit long away though ;(

Bemused
Birmingham being Birmingham, there is probably some political corrective issue just as it has with Christmas being Christmas.

Grace W
This was the first time I was gonna go with my mates to this. I'm well annoyed it's not coming back X(

Emma -louise finlay
i felt so proud of our city last year as i was shopping in the german markets&two scouser girls were in front of me on their mobiles talking loud&excited,saying they were in brum xmas shopping&had just been skating.they said how wicked it was here in brum&were telling the person on the other end of the phone how they have got to come this year-well don't bother cause you're gonna be well disappointed with brum this year.in fact,i'm gonna be that person on the phone this year as now i've got to travel to another city such as london for some real xmas spirit-bah humbug birmingham

Emma -louise finlay
i can't believe it&am absolutely gutted.my 7 children loved this&i had been looking out for it all november wondering why i had'nt saw any adverts for it.shame on birmingham-this was a big attraction to our city&for the past 3years,along with my hubby&kids we would go to watch the latest xmas movie,then go skating.what a pile of dogs doo,really,thats the worst news i've heard to date.my kids are gonna be so gutted.thanx brum,you truely are an ebenezer let down this year

Chloe
This has made me really sad :(

Vicky Lee
it should be running this year, its good with a ice rink as we dont have one in bham already!!!!!

i.am.t.u.a
as if..was lookin forward to that..sort sumthin out for next year guys.

Serguté
I'm VERY,VERY disappointed I've been looking forward to this all year. My Christmas and new is now ruined. Have they tried asking any local radio stations. I bet they would support.

DEE
WHAT A TERRIBLE SHAME .B'HAM COUNCILL TAKE BUT NEVER GIVE.GET UR FINGERS OUT AND PUT IT WRIGHT

J
Awwwww no way! :-( i was really looking forward 2 the ice rink this year as it was always a highlight of xmas in da previous years. But its harsh 2 blame it on the council its not der fault dey cant find a sponsor as its gotta be pretty expensive widout 1! hopefully next year a sponsor will be found fingers crossd!

oops
They did this in Lincoln last year. The activitys that replaced the rink were a washout. This year they have bought the rink back. It's really shoddy thing to do and hopefully if nothing happens this year Birmingham will learn for next year. It's not just those who live local. Several people tour round all the outdoor rinks so thats other trade lost. Not just the skating but they use public transport shops and cafes whilst there.

Emilia & Grace Jones
Forget the German Xmas market us kids would much rather Birmingham council sponsered Street ice not market stalls!

James G
I guess it is off to Tamworth Snowdome for our winter skating needs. Sorry German Market, but that means we'll have to buy drinks and food elsewhere....

Debbie Jones
Just looking to book this years Xmas skating with Street Ice as we promised our 11 & 14yr old daughters they could street ice skate again this Xmas.I was so disappointed as it brings us into Birmingham each Xmas(as we only come once or twice a year!) Usually the kids skate, we take lunch go shopping and do the a theatre panto all in one day! So sorry Birmingham if you cannot support this excellent venture we will be going somewhere else this year who does have a christmas rink in 2008

Blossom
So many Comments! it sounds like everyone is unhappy with their decision - lets hope they reverse it next year!! I went on Christmas eve - it was a perfect start to the Christmas season. Birmingham is really losing out this year- England's second city can't even manage 1 outdoor rink for Christmas. The nearest outdoor rinks are Trentham Gardens, Leicester and Nottingham.

Adrian Newton
I hate T-Mobile, I really do. First the Baggies, and now this. I'm cancelling my contract with them tomorrow. I hope it teaches them a lesson.

......
innconidreate... this was the best event at xmas in birmingham, an it was amazing! thers isn't even an outdoor rink in the west midlands! why join in birng it back! this sucks big time! we need a petition lol

Katelin McMillian
I actually moved to Birmingham earlier this year after enjoying it so much last year.I feel let down and hope i still have the reciept for my boots.

Ashley Ford
ok, that does it, Xmas is cancelled in the Ford residence, you've ruined everything. The Daily Mail will hear of this.

Jade Hadley
I am really disappointed this as ruined the xmas atmosphere now, what does our council tax go towards what a total let down.

Mrs. Carol Rock
Hi am dissapointed so is my 13 year old daughter it felt really christmassy a bit like central park for us!! Lets hope they get a sponsor in 2009.

Matt Bailey
Birmingham city councill, you are absolutly stupid! how can you take away one of the main attractions from birmingham at christmas time! Surely you should give the people of birmingham a present from you and sponcer the rink yourself!!! YOU ARE A JOKE !!

Lynda Chivers
I have just mentioned to my colleague at work 'I wonder if the Street Ice is on this year', cus we had a great evening out last year after work We went skating then had a mooch around the German Market. I used to go skating years ago to the Silver Blades so it was quite nostalgic for me and after our evening out last year I went to street ice several times over the Xmas period, taking the family and grandchildren. It is such a shame that T mobile have taken the sponsorship away, surely there is emough money to make if 60,000 people were attracted to this venue. It would have been something to really look forward to over the xmas holiday with the doom and gloom hanging over us at present.Life is full of dissapointments.

sarah pearce
I think it is really disappointing that the ice rink isn't returning this year. I think it has become much loved in Birmingham. I for one used it 2006 & 2007 following a trip to frankfurt market. I can not understand how it isn't returning as it was always so popular and extremely busy.

aimee
you better bring it back or else !!!

eleanor and kayleigh
to be quite honest this is really pathetic. as we all enjoiyed going to the german market and going then to street ice as it was the highlight of christmas. it gets every one into the christmass spirit so with out this its goint to be appsolutely crap. T-mobile should renew the deal and just sponsor street ice, whats wrong with sponsoring street ice this year when every other year they have done so !!!!!

walshy
I total agree, open up your purse Bham City Council and bring the ring back. Birmingham no longer has an ice skating ring and it was perfect for xmas time. Get into the spirit!!

adam
weeee need street ice please it was fantstic

Naomi
Thats pathetic

sarah
i cant believe the ice rink will not be returning this year! my children wait fot this all year round and now IM THE ONE who has to tell the they WONT be able to go this year becasue its NOT coming! i means whats thta all about seriously?!?! im really unhappy about this.

Caitlin
My friends and I have never been to this rink and we were looking forward to it this year but now we will never get the chance. It's silly and a disgrace!

dave
i was really looking forward to the ice rink coming this year, as we have been going every year ... wont feel like xmas without it! please return

Sarah
This is such a joke! It was a great place to go!! Each year its been there iv skated many times & had a great evening skating & visiting the German market. Real shame I am gutted, I have been looking forward to it for months :(

multimillionareman
Hi, Birmigham city council, I will sponsor your fun event. sorry i could not contact you but my wealth has ruined all the phones. Thanks, hope you will agree with my offer

beth
omg(gosh) i can not belive this i was going to have lots of fun when i broke up from school

Seedy
why do you be so cruel, this is the only fun I have all year. my life is over. Evil people at b'ham...

Morgan
this is sooooooooooooooooooooo stupid thats my christmas ruined

lauren
very annoyed with the none ice rinkness. it is silly, i could gather a sponsor.get back on track b'ham.we miss thisx

yvonne stewart
i visited birmingham for the first time in nov07 for a meeting and came across the skating rink as i was walking to the station i thought it was fabulous and i was looking forward to returning this year travelling a day earlier to spend a few hours on the ice and to my disapointment found that out that it will not be open this year. hope you find a sponser soon good luck! unique attraction

John
They can find cash for Moseley and Harborne rubbish swimming pools but not for this fantastic event!

Chloe
The ice rink was one of the best parts of christmas in Birmingham, I am sure it also attracted both people and to be blunt their money which can only be good for the city!

Chloe
How Pathetic Can You Get.

Cj
i think that it is a shame infact i was actually going to go to the ice rink but finding out it will no longer open its such a shame!!

Georgia
I was really looking forward to skating this year because it was something for teenagers to go out and do for a nice christmas treat. My closest ice rink is now in Solihull which is quite far from where i live. Gutted!

TINA
The street ice last year was fantastic.It is a fun way of keeping fit whilst also being very sociable.I will certainly miss it this year!

Leah
this is daft! i love going outdoor skating to bham every year! and its a BIG disa pointment!i love to skate to an audience, and its a shame i wont be able to, or go out with my friends for a good time!!

sam and dave
roarrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!its not christams without ice skating!!!!!cant we all raise money through fundraising?!?!?!?!?!?!c'mon birmingham together!

Krafty
My 8 year old daughter really wanted to go this year as she has not been b4 because for the last few years she has had her leg in plaster, please bring it back!

Catherine Watson
Centenary Square will not be the same without the ice rink, I will shop elsewhere unfortunately, as this is part of the Christmas experience.

Lint
Bah Humbug T mobile.

johnny
gutted. i cant believe its not there this year!

dave b
HA HA WE'VE GOT AN ICE RINK IN LEICESTER CMON DOWN AND SEE IT FORGET BIRMINGHAMLEICESTERS THE PLACE TO BE !!!

jess key
i cant believe it! i was really looking forward to takin my little sisters and brother to this before christmas :(

Anne Mcguinness
Whats happened to the canal parade this year

Harleigh Rebecca Irish
The rink was great fun for everybody and i know many, including my self are devastated that it won't be returing this year. Me and my friends have been on the rink every year it's been there. Also it's our closest rink and this year there won't be any skating for us.

Rupan
A real shame. One of the main attractions in the city centre in the run up to Christmas...

Louise & Sarah
Gutted! Was really looking forward to it!

Warus
It's a relief I won't be dragged to ice skate again this year...spent more time on my backside than on my feat.But a good 99.99% of people enjoyed it - it makes a vast amount of revenue! Surely they should bring it back...

Laura
I Personally Think Its Pathetic. It Was A Chance For Kids To Go & Have Fun Which Keeps Them Causing Trouble. There Aint A Inceskating Rink In Birmingham Anymore So Everyone Looked Forward To This. Last Year, I Went Several Times With A Big Group Of Friends & Im Gutted This Year That Its Not There. So What There Isnt Any Sposers, Baggies Dont Have A Sponser Buh They Can Still Play Football So Why Cant This Still Come ? :S

Deb
Please bring it back, that was going to be the highlight of my kids run up to christmas, it just makes the festive season more christmasy and gets everyone into the christmas spirit, please,please bring it back.

emma
this was fantastic to take the kids to big and small, my daughter's birthday is th 16th december and we as a family used to look forward to going for a birthday treat......... it's a joke

Dave
Whats that all about the don that was! gutted tbh

!!
ME AND MY FRIENDS HAVE BEEN TO THE RINK FOR THE PAST TWO YEARS AND MORE AND MORE PEOPLE WANT TO GO, A GROUP OF 40 OF US WERE MEANT TO BE GOING THIS YEAR. CANT YOU TRY AND ADVERTISE FOR MORE SPONSERS IM SURE A BIRMINGHAM ESTABLISHMENT WOULD BE MORE THAN HAPPY TO SUPPORT YOU, SHOP AROUND, QUICK ITS NEARLY CHRISTMAS! :(X

Kelly
I'm gonna miss it :(I've been looking forward to it returning just to find out it's not going to happen!What a disappointment for all of us.

anominus
i think that the streetice should return in 2008,because it is a way of socialising with other people,it was a great location for everyone because it was the city centre, and many people enjoyed it.if it does not return,this christmas will not have the same effect like the previous years.it was a great time to have it because of the german market to.i hope i have made a point clear here for all readers.

anita
I can't beleive no skating this year come on someone please sponsor our city this is a great event

Tash
Come on Bham City Council - open up your purse and bring something good to Birmingham. The rest of the country has outdoor ice skating rinks, so are you going to let tourism move to other parts of the country and Bham miss out. Other cities have things to do all year around, yet Bham has one or two good things a year, now the ice rink won't be here, that just brings gloom to christmas. Come on Bham CC open up your wallets.

Marcus J. Hubbard
I want the Street Ice back. It's what makes Xmas in Brum so special. Without it, it's just like any other time of the year. There must be some way to get it back! :-(

kiran
pleaseeeeeee open the ice rink this year...last year was really really good! i was really looking forward to this aswel ....not happy at all!

Megan
I am really disappointed, how can there not be a sponsor for such a great attraction??? If anyone wants to pleaseeeeeeee do it, its such a fun thing to do with your mates! i'm really gutted!!!!!

Paula parry
No Grotto no icerink,no canal boat parade ,no new years celebrations whats Birmingham coming to,p.s could it be the credit crunch

Denise
To be honest I think this is a good progressive move by our council. The ice rink is a major health and safety risk and have always questioned why we have to have one in OUR city centre EVERY christmas.

Toni
What a shame! Me and partner got engaged on this rink last year on Christmas Eve, we were so looking forward to going back this year to "celebrate" :(

Hannah
What a disapointment!

Antony
This is a joke! I can not believe that it will not be returning this year! My sister was looking forward to it and now she will be really disappointed

Bonjovi
It has made me very upset, I am sad now :-(

d.monnington
so sad that street ice will not be here this year. my daugther and i have been about 5 times each year and have loved it. we were looking forward to it again.

Nikki
ohwwwwww.. dash shaaad *sad face*.. i wealii was lookin forward for it... i was too scraed to go on it las yr.. buh i went to an indooor rink in the summer and loved it... ahhh... sumwun please sponserr it... =(..x..x..x

Chez
Disappointed!! My children have just learnt to ice skate and I told them we would go to the Street Ice this year - We were so looking forward to it.

ill sponser it LMAO
I was going to go this year for my birthday, why no sponsers! i think that is very pathetic to be honest. Bring it back!

Hollie
That is an absolute joke loads of people went to birmingham just for this and they will loose a lot of money so know i will go to nottingham ice rink outdoors

Anna, Cat, Nicole, Rena, Natalie, Julie, Jo, Jade,
So Disappointed, some of us have moved away from Birmingham and this was going to be a Christmas Skate off get together!! We have done this since it's started, Birmingham Council Should pay for it, as it brings Christmas Spirit to Birmingham and will be sadly missed!! :-(

Joanna
I am really disappointed that the outdoor Ice Rink is not coming to Birmingham this year. Every year my daughter has asked me to take her but never felt she was old enough. This year she is and how am I going to tell her is can't go. This was the start of our Christmas and yet again the one thing in Birmingham that brings people of all ages together is no longer going to be there. What else can I say 'Gutted'

Penny
We've come for the last few years as part of our office Chrismas party and it really has been good fun. Birmingham City Council should have worked harder to find a replacement sponsor as it brought a lot of people into the city. This is really important especially in the current climate.

lee overton
discusting the 2nd largest city in the uk and no ice rink for christmas bring it back

Sophie
Why cant the BBC sponsor it???!!! Its has always been fun for everyone of all ages and a lovely attraction for Birmingham at Christmas. I am fairly sure the BBC Could afford the sponsorship!

Tee
I've recently moved back to my hometown and am trying to rustle up support for England's second city. But it doesn't help the cause when Birmingham is unable to find a sponsor for an event that has become very much a part of the Christmas spirit. The likes of Gateshead and Manchester have successfully secured their open-rink sponsors - but Brum has been relegated to a poor cousin - because no-one feels it's important enough to sponsor US?!?!?

Steve
It's a joke! It was great there last year. Let's face it who will come to this dive without an attraction and let's face it the bullring is probably the only thing that brings people here and also the thing that put me off birmingham.

Becca
Oh No I never went to the street ice rink and was really looking forward to going this year... Please someone sponser it I really want to go!!! Its a huge attartion in birmingham almost as big as the German Market why miss out on such a money maker?

sherrie
im so sad no street ice this year.. we just get xmas market whoppie do i think not

Sukhy and Friends
I can not believe that the ice rink will not be comming this year I have been looking forward to this event all year around.... Please can you bring the ice rink back xmas will not be the same without the ice rink....:(

Carla Blake!
I AM NOT IMPRESSED!I THINK THERE SHOULD BE AN OUTDOOR RINK EVERY YEAR!!

Jane Clarke
Am really not impressed that ice rink not gona b there this yr, had so much fun last yr and myself and friends were lookin 4ward 2 it again. can't understand y their no sponsor as we supposed 2 b a large city and they must ov made a heck of alot ov money there last yr. Wot is the world coming 2 when u can't even have a proper xmas!!!!

kira
oh thats a shame i really was looking forward to it as i didnt go last year please do your best for next year thanks guys xxxx:D

CAM
bring it back please I had my birthday planned to go their :'(

Jodie
This is ridiculous! The council should know that it attracted so many people to Birmingham and that it was a great way to attract people to our city. Also, it was a great moneymaker for Street Ice and im sure they have had to cut loads of jobs due to the ice rink not coming. the council - sort yourself out!

mel
i am really gutted about this becuase the ice rink is class! I had many plans to return here this year with friends who have not yet been. I hope it will return next year. It was a great day out and it helped you to get intot he christmas spirit.

Lisa
I am absolutely gutted. Myself and my two girls were really looking forward to skating on Christmas Eve again - last year was really special. Absolute disgrace!

tracey sealey
due to lack of funds we have been unable to take the kids to this , and i promised that this year we would the kids are total fed up.

Marie MacDonald
I am gutted that this attraction will not be in Birmingham this year, I was really looking forward to taking my son for his Birthday!!!

fezsta
so stupid birmingham is slipping... there is no point for young people to come birmz around christmas... arrange a sponsor

Amrit
I CANNOT BELIEVE ITS NOT GONNA BE THERE THIS YEAR :(NOT FAIR.I REALLY REALLY WANTED TO GO. lol

maxine spooner
im gutted, finally I was getting round to going this year

Dane
can't believe it isn't gonna be on this year :(. had so much fun there last year with the lads n girls. lol. it was the best

..
i am appauled! get some sponsers.

Chris Ingley
This is a real shame. I missed the first year but have been at Birmingham Uni for the last 2 - had a brilliant time with friends. Surely the council could have found another sponsor?

jANE & gRACE
What a shame, my daughter and I have been for the past 3 years and it was part of her christmas. We will miss it this year!!

kelsey
thats realy sad i had planned to go at least 3 times why cant birmingham have a perminate ice rink?

Dinah Ashley
Sponsor Schmonsor! Come on Council get your act together.

Rich Adams
Not that I used it but its a shame.. it added something extra to the city at Christmas.. even Nottingham is having one this year and that is a small city in comparison to B/ham.

james1
jordan is right! 1st they lst the wheel and now the ice rink! what more are they going to lose! was realy looking forward to go this year aswell!not happy with the event section at birmingham city council. they are not trying hard enuf!

Paul
What a waste if water! Do ppl ever think of the wider implications?

zoe
i'm really dissapointed that the street ice is not coming to birmingham this year, i was looking forward to going with the girls from work and taking my son as we all went last year and it was such a good time and gave you such a christmas feeling,what a mistake the council have made yet agian.

Mark
It is a great shame that the ice rink will not be around this year!! I work for an agency that works with disadvantaged young people and this was a regular trip out for them!! It is disappointing it will not be on this year!!

Happy one!
I took my girlfriend there last December for first date and now we married. Come on bring it back!

Emma
This is awful, I can't understand how they haven't found a sponsor when there are so many multinational companies with bases in Birmingham!

tonyf
Very disapointed! it was great fun last year for people of all ages and abilities. RIP

Deema
We were really lookig forward for it this year!!!

Jordan
its a real shame that the ice rink won't be returning this year. oviously the council wasn't trying hard enough to find a sponsor. first they lost the wheel and now the ice rink, its a huge blow for the city.

dave
it is nise

Yoi-Hon Man
Noooo!! They should have it..it brings back memory every since i went to university in Birmingham. Without the ice rink...birmingham wont feel as christmas before.