Bournemouth’s Christmas Gardens of Light Festival has proved a major draw to thousands of visitors as the town centre reports an 11 per cent increase in footfall this November.
More than 7000 skaters have taken to the ice and nearly 900 children have paid a visit to Santa’s grotto since the winter attractions were opened in the Grade II listed Bournemouth Lower Gardens on November 15 by professional ice skaters and ‘Dancing on Ice’ stars Robin Cousins and Vicky Ogden.
The innovative lighting installations, designed by local lighting designer Michael Grubb and his team, are also proving popular amongst visitors who are posting photos of themselves interacting with the free Bournemouth Light Pods on social media.
Bournemouth Town Centre manager, Roger Parker, says: “Every December we see an increase in footfall but this year, due to the opening of the Gardens of Light Festival in November, the increase has happened earlier and is steeper than in previous years. The rest of the month is also looking very positive I’m pleased to say.”
More than 7000 skaters have taken to the ice since the Bournemouth Town Centre winter attractions were opened in November
Commissioned by the Bournemouth Town Centre BID company, the magical interactive lighting experiences and the outdoor ice rink, operated by Cousins Entertainment, are now open until 6 January 6. Children can receive a beautifully wrapped gift by visiting Santa’s grotto right up until Christmas Eve.
The Bournemouth Light Pods and entry into the Gardens of Light is completely free.
The innovative lighting installations, designed by local lighting designer Michael Grubb and his team, are also proving popular amongst visitors
