Falkirk's Kelpies to get a festive ice skating rink to boost its income after running at £600,000 loss

Falkirk’s iconic Kelpies are to get a festive skating rink for the first time as it looks to boost its income after it emerged its Helix Park home is currently running at a £600,000 loss.

Falkirk Council announced this week that tickets are now on sale for a family friendly skating rink beside the iconic sculptures that will be open from December 16 to January 7.

Reaction on social media has been very positive with hundreds of people eager to try the new experience of skating on synthetic ice that promises to be softer than the real thing for children and beginners.

The organisers also promise that the synthetic ice is an eco-friendly choice that will be gentler on the environment than traditional ice rinks.

The event promises to be the first of many as Falkirk Council recently agreed a new five-year strategy that it hopes will help increase visitor numbers to the 300-hectare park to one million a year.

The hope is to reduce the current subsidy by £180,000 by boosting the park’s income – currently £1.5m – rather than making cuts.

Culture and leisure bosses have promised more live events at the Helix in a bid to draw in visitors and boost the local economy. An estimated 600,000 visitors came to the Helix in 2021, spending around £84 million supporting local businesses and jobs.

The Kelpies Festive ice rink opens on December 16 and tickets can now be booked.