An Ascot Partner will be asking customers to get their skates on this Christmas with the first known skating rink installed on his pub’s car park!

Partner Rohan Thompson of Punch Taverns’ Bar 1 in Ascot came up with the novel way to make the most of the festive trading opportunity and bring the Christmas spirit alive for both locals and visiting customers.

Bar 1’s outdoor skating rink, situated next to Ascot Racecourse, will be installed from Friday 17th December until Sunday 9th Jan and will be open for all ages, seven days a week from 10am to 10pm.

Rohan explains: “I had the idea when I saw a sign at the airport that said ‘give the people what they want, not what they need’.  I’d thought about Christmas craft fairs but it’s been done before so an outdoor skating rink seemed the ideal way to make the pub the centre for Christmas activity in Ascot.”

“The outdoor rink will be decorated with some beautiful lights to create a little winter wonderland. We’ll also be serving a range of hot food and mulled wine so the spectators are happy too!” adds Rohan.
 
Punch’s operations manager Iain Rippon said: “This is a fabulous idea.  The Christmas trading period is so important for pubs, particularly in this challenging climate so a unique idea like this is a brilliant way put the pub on the map, attract new custom and bring the spirit of Christmas alive in Ascot!”