Building on the success of Weymouth BID’s investment in Weymouth’ BIG Christmas festival in 2015 and 2016, the real ice rink will be returning on Friday 1st December when the themed ice rink opens followed by the Lighting up Ceremony of the Xmas Tree and the arrival of Santa and his reindeer.
An introductory price of just £5 per skate session will be available on 1st December only. Ice Rink Tickets will go on sale in November.
Steve Newstead, Weymouth BID Chair, said “We have gained experience from the 2015 and 2016 Christmas event and have built upon this by investing in the ice rink for a third year. During December, Weymouth can see footfall traffic increase to over 500,000 visitor movements at the weekends. The BIG Christmas period will run from 1st December until 1st January and will firmly endorse the message that Weymouth is open for business offering a great variety of shops and the opportunity to experience skating on a real ice rink. The WeAreWeymouth website visitor traffic is currently up 75% on last year and we are expecting over 2 million visitors to the site during the year”.
Weymouth’s BIG Christmas is a perfect chance for businesses to make the most of increased footfall in the town centre through sponsorship. Sponsorship opportunities include several options including the overall sponsorship of the BIG Christmas, and ten opportunities to take advertising around the ice rink and other marketing incentives including radio and digital marketing. For more details please email [email protected]
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Steve Newstead went on to say “Some large multiple retailers and services have already put forward their interest. We have made sure that the sponsorship opportunities reflect a range of prices and exposure so that there is something for every size of business. We are once again working with local media partners, Dorset Echo and Wessex FM, to provide BID Members the opportunity of discounted advertising before Christmas.”
In 2016 the ice rink attracted over 5000 skaters which was double the amount in 2015. The ice rink will be the same size this year but the refreshment counter will be relocated to the skate exchange area. The quality of the ice will be maintained to last year excellent standards by the use of “super chillers”. All ticket prices have been held at 2016 prices of £7.50, however, a new lower price is available this year at £6.50 when tickets are booked in advance on line. Santa will take up residence in his Grotto which will be located in Cineworld from 1stDecember.
In 2016 Weymouth BID successfully won £10,000 worth of Christmas Lights beating 12 other towns in the Blanchere Christmas Light Competition, the lights will be installed in Weymouth again this year. Weymouth BID will also be offering local businesses the chance to install Christmas trees outside of their businesses at a 33% discount; all businesses must apply by 31 October to [email protected] .
FREE parking will also be introduced again in 2017 in car parks managed by Weymouth & Portland Borough Council, parking will be free after 3pm in December and free all day on Small Business Saturday on 2ndDecember. Full information, terms and conditions will be on the WeAreWeymouth.co.uk website very soon.
More information about sponsorship and the full Christmas schedule will be available at www.weareweymouth.co.uk/christmas in the near future.
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For more information regarding the discounted Christmas advertising, Weymouth BID or WeAreWeymouth website please contact the Operations team on 01305 779410.
