Ice Ball to open Royal Pavilion’s first ever Christmas ice rink in Brighton

Brighton’s Royal Pavilion will launch its first ever outdoor real ice rink on Friday, November 12th with a glittering Ice Ball in support of the Royal Pavilion and Museums Foundation. With just 180 tickets available on a first come, first served basis, the inaugural event will serve up a three-course festive dinner, courtesy of award-winning restaurant, Due South, free skating for the evening, and membership of the Royal Pavilion itself, all within the ticket price.

Open to the public November 13th – January 16th, 10am – 10.15pm, the Royal Pavilion Ice Rink will be the only rink in the country with its own pre-school crèche, pop up rinkside restaurant and bar, beginners’ area and ‘penguin’ skate aids especially for youngsters, and promises to be the Christmas rink to visit outside of London.

With the former Royal pleasure palace as backdrop, the 700 square metre rink will accommodate up to 200 skaters per session. Tickets are available from Ticketmaster and will cost from £9.50 - £11 for adults and from £6.50 - £7.50 for children under 12.

Known for its commitment to locally sourced ingredients, Due South’s fully licensed rinkside restaurant (open 8am – midnight) will serve warming, seasonal dishes including Castle Farm steak & real ale pie, Honey roasted ham hock with buttered mash and a rich organic cider sauce, South Downs venison curry with rice and poppadom, seasonal fruit crumbles, cakes baked daily and luxurious ice creams.

Only 50 minutes on the train from London, Brighton is Christmas shopping heaven with the independent shops of the Laines and North Laine on the Pavilion’s doorstep, and Churchill Square shopping centre just 5 minutes’ walk.

The rink is in the final stages of the planning process.

Shella Parkin of Laine Ltd, the event organisers said “The rink received planning approval last year from the Council but we decided to postpone - we’re really excited about bringing a real ice outdoor rink to Brighton for Christmas 2010. We hope to create a genuine festive experience with a traditional feel, raising the bar for rinkside dining and going out of our way to make children and families feel welcome”.

Tickets for the Charity Ice Ball will cost £55 per head and are available from the Royal Pavilion on 01273 292789. For tickets for the Royal Pavilion Ice Rink, please visit: www.ticketmaster.co.uk, call: 0844 847 2352 or book in person at Ticketmaster ticket centres.