Canterbury will not be getting an ice rink this winter... again.

The city council has decided to pull the plug on the plans after potential operators opted not to pursue the opportunity.

The news comes after last year’s attempt to deliver the attraction - which had been promised by Noah and the Shed - ended in disaster when escalating costs and a lack of time led to the scheme collapsing.

Despite a number of companies expressing an interest in running a rink in the Dane John Gardens, none completed the tender process put out in April.

Cllr Neil Baker, chairman of the authority's community committee, said: “We know people will be bitterly disappointed but throughout this process it was important an ice rink did not cost council taxpayers money.

“If we had given a subsidy, residents would end up paying twice. Once through their council tax bills even if they didn’t don a pair of ice skates and then again if they wanted to practice their twists, turns and spins. In the meantime, the provider would be making a profit.

“We also had to be mindful of the needs of the residents and other businesses in the area and protect their interests too."

Potential operators turned their noses up at the tender after citing needs for a substantial subsidy from the council or a large reduction in hire fees.

They also had a desire for a different venue, a request for a larger footprint in the Dane John Gardens, the hope of closing much later at night and permission for more concessions selling food and drink.

To fully consider those proposals, the council realised it would be a lengthy process and to determine an updated tender would be too tight and too risky.

Last year, the ice rink was half built before staying that way for a number of weeks. It was then dismantled before any ice was put down.

Cllr Baker still harbours hopes for a rink next winter.

He added: “Because of the level of interest when we tried to get an ice rink up and running last year, we know one would be popular so we will continue to investigate options for Christmas 2019 having listened to the feedback from potential operators.”

The tender said the successful company would have to pay a fixed fee to hire the city gardens and have to cover the costs of extra waste collections, extra cleaning of public toilets and the cost electricity and water.