Get your skates on this winter as an ice rink comes to Southend.

Southend’s Carnival Association and the Mayor’s Charity Fund want to bring a huge rink, three quarters of the length of the Forum Library, to Elmer Square, this festive period.

It will be the biggest open air ice rink the town has ever seen – with space for more than 80 people to use it at any time.

If the rink gets planning permission, it will be the first time in six years an ice rink has come to Southend – and organisers have high hopes this will go down much better than the previous incarnation at Victoria Circus.

Garry Lowen, carnival association chairman, said: “I think this will be a fantastic addition to the Christmas schedule this winter.

“We’re always trying to do things differently and I woke up one night and thought it would be a great idea – I thought having it outside the Forum would be a fantastic place to try it out as its a big area and so close to the High Street.

“It will run virtually the length of the library and it will be the biggest open air skating rink nearest to London.

“The last one wasn’t successful because it was in Victoria Plaza, but I think this is a better location.”

Temporary ink rink specialists Blue Martini Group will bring the attraction to the town, with the event called Skating-on-Sea.

The firm puts on ice rinks in Bournemouth, Manchester, and Galway in Ireland.

The ice rink will be launched on November 14 – the same day as the High Street’s Christmas light switch on – and will stay in the town centre until January 3.

Mr Lowen stressed the attraction is not for profit, with some income being taken by the firm putting it on, and the rest going to the carnival association and mayor’s charities.

Echo:

Garry Lowen, Louise Moring, and mayor Andrew Moring

Andrew Moring, Southend’s mayor, added: “If we pull this off it will bring another fantastic attraction to the town for all the family. Due to an international exhibition at the Focal Point Gallery work cannot start on site until November 8.

“Keep an eye out for the official launch the first week of November when you can purchase advanced tickets online to avoid queues and possible disappointment”.

Train operator c2c will sponsor the event, but if any other businesses want to sponsor, they can email info@southendcarnival.

org.uk.