Express & Star

Work underway to set up Wolverhampton Winter Wonderland

The work is underway to turn a city centre square into a festive winter event with something for all the family.

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The rides are being put in place, the bars set up and the ice rink constructed as a Wolverhampton city centre square is being transformed into a winter venue with something for all the family.

Workmen could be seen hard at work across Market Square setting up the Wolverhampton Winter Wonderland, a festive showpiece entertainment event which is part of a drive to bring visitors to the city during Christmas.

Rides of different sizes and shapes were being put in place around the square, while food and drink stalls selling everything from burgers to German sausages and pasta sat at the side waiting to be moved into place.

There will also be rides and attractions for the young
There will also be rides and attractions for the young

Spread from Pitt Street to School Street, the market will include a full-size ice rink and entertainment quarter which the Harry Jones Company, which is organising the event, claimed could bring up to 40,000 visitors into the city over the festive period.

A full-sized ice rink will be the centrepiece at the site, off Salop Street, and was in the midst of being built stretching along the length of the square and Pitt Street.

The event, which has been organised with the backing of Wolverhampton Council, will open on November 28, and run until January 5.

The entrance way to the Winter Wonderland will be set at School Street
The entrance way to the Winter Wonderland will be set at School Street

Paige Jones, of the Harry Jones Company, said the event would give the city a much-needed boost in the run-up to Christmas.

"We estimate it could bring 40,000 people into the city over the total period, that's exactly what the city needs," she said.

"We believe Wolverhampton is crying out for something like this.

The road along Market Square will be closed for the duration of the event
The road along Market Square will be closed for the duration of the event

"It's not just for Wolverhampton people, it's for people from other areas as well.

"There will be German sausages like you get at the winter market in Birmingham, there will be crepes, there will be pizza, there will be something for everyone."

Last month, the former market square hosted the Urban Sports FISE Xperience, which included skateboarding, BMX stunts, mountain-bike riding, break-dancing, roller-skating and other niche sports.

The marquee and ice rink will be among the highlights of the event
The marquee and ice rink will be among the highlights of the event

The site, between Salop Street and Pitt Street, was home to the city's market until it moved to its present site at Snow Hill in 2018.