An 'enchanting ice skating experience' has arrived at Trafford Palazzo as part of its Unreal Xmas event.
The idea is that visitors are skating 'through a captivating forest' and event specialists OOBE Global Group were putting the finishing touches to it as the M.E.N's Manchester Family took a first look ahead of Friday's opening.
Skaters follow a one-way route past the snow-covered trees and through a twinkling tunnel before emerging into an ice rink on the ground floor of the venue, which is opposite Primark in what was formerly Barton Square at TraffordCity.
You get 45 minutes on the ice and can go round as many times as you like - or are able to!
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Sadly health and safety put a stop to plans for a skate-up bar, so there's a small barrier separating it from the rink to keep the two apart.
Skaters can either grab a drink before or after they skate and it gives spectators something to do while they wait.
Prices range from £2.50 for soft drinks, tea and coffee, £5.50 for a pint of beer or cider and £6 for a glass of wine.
There's a donut stand downstairs too, as well as an ice cream cart.
Upstairs there are more food and drink stalls at the Christmas Markets, selling artisan crafts, gifts and more.
Stalls will be open throughout the event, with the addition of The Makers Market each weekend.
It's the first time a festive experience of this scale has been hosted at TraffordCity and comes just weeks after the venue was officially rebranded from Barton Square.
The £150,000 installation combines lighting, visuals and 'stunning scenography', transforming Trafford Palazzo for the month-long extravaganza, which runs from now until January 3 and is 'designed to bridge the gap between fantasy and Christmas tradition'.
Paolo Gaddari, OOBE Group’s managing director, said: “Unreal Xmas brings something spectacular to TraffordCity and we wanted to offer something different than your usual ice rink.
"This building was unused before and when we were given the opportunity to use it, it seemed perfect for this event."
Mark Whittaker, executive director of Peel L&P, owners of Barton Square, said: "We are very excited to be bringing this festive extravaganza to TraffordCity.
"Following the success of our August bank holiday and more recent October half term activations, we are looking forward to welcoming returning and new customers to experience our unique month-long festivities.”
Trafford Palazzo is situated in TraffordCity and linked via a bridge from The Trafford Centre, which has its own ice rink as part of its Tinsel Town event this Christmas.
Unreal Xmas' Christmas village and markets are open Monday to Friday from 10am to 10pm, Saturday from 10am to 9pm and Sunday from noon to 6pm. It will only be closed on Christmas Day and New Year's Day.
Ice skating slots, lasting 45 minutes, cost £13 for seniors and children aged three to 12, £15 for 13 plus, or £40 for a family. Tickets can be booked via the website here. There is no charge to enter the markets.
