Why there will be no winter wonderland on Parker’s Piece in Cambridge in 2022

There will be no winter wonderland on Parker’s Piece in Cambridge this year.

An ice rink, funfair and market have been among the attractions in the past for the festive season, but the city council has confirmed it is rethinking its winter plans.

The council’s contract with the North Pole attraction came to an end last year. It had brought ice skating and rides, along with an ice bar and ice slide to the city.

Bids for a new winter offer this year were invited, but after considering the submissions and weighing up the risks and benefits, the council said it had decided not to proceed with a seasonal event this year.

The news is sure to disappoint those who enjoyed the North Pole in recent years.

But the council said it was also mindful of the environmental impact of the attractions, given its declaration of climate and biodiversity emergencies.

Cllr Alex Collis, executive councillor for open spaces, food justice and community development, said: “We recognise the popularity of hosting a winter event on Parker’s Piece and the wider benefits it brings to the city.

“We are however mindful of the opinions of residents and the impact on the historic space it occupies.

“With contractual obligations and planning consents currently expired, and with offers for 2022 reviewed, this seems like a good time for a one year break.

“This will allow us to undertake local surveys this winter and evaluate the marketplace to enable us to host a new and exciting winter offer from 2023, with a reduced environmental impact.”

The authority has an ambition to be a net zero council by 2030, meaning a key issue for any new winter attraction will be its environmental impact, including the carbon footprint and the impact on ground conditions.

There have been concerns from residents about the damage caused to Parker’s Piece by the attractions in the past.

The council said it will “undertake remedial works to improve the ground conditions on Parker’s Piece, following the impact of the extreme heat of the summer and ongoing drought conditions on the site’s grass cover”.