AN EXTREMELY popular winter attraction will not return to Weston this year, it has been confirmed. 

The UK's largest indoor ice rink, known as Icescape, has been forced to abandon plans to open in the town due to 'rising energy costs,' North Somerset Council has said. 

The last time it was seen in Weston was before the start of the Covid pandemic and many families have been eagerly anticipating its arrival. 

It's normally held at the Tropicana, on the seafront, but a significant delay in bringing a 450-tonne decommissioned rig forced the owners to find an alternative venue. 

The council offered Icescape use of the Italian Gardens however it was deemed unviable as twenty-four-hour security is needed on site. 

Dolphin Square shopping complex, on Carlton Street, was also touted as a suitable alternative but mains power was unavailable. 

Operations director at Icescape, Jamie Dann, said: "It is a real shame we won’t be returning to the Tropicana, or Weston, again this year.

"Another location was found but mains power was not available, and although this would have been provided by the council, this and the cost of energy made the event financially unviable."

Due to the rising costs of energy to power the attraction, the predicted energy bill was estimated to be five times higher than what it was in 2019.

Many locals had feared See Monster's extraordinary delay of more than two months would prevent Icescape from returning. 

The See Monster exhibition is due to close on November 5, after little more than five weeks, and is expected to be completely dismantled by Christmas. 

It was hoped the art exhibition would open from July to September, providing a large window for dismantlement and subsequent erection of Icescape. 

Now residents and visitors will be forced to wait another year to see a return of the crowd-puller. 

Mark Canniford, the council's executive member for placemaking with responsibility for See Monster, said: "We have worked closely with Icescape to explore all of the options, but the steep rise in energy costs, which is affecting businesses and households across the UK, have resulted in this difficult decision.

"We’re grateful for the support and positivity from Icescape and we look forward to welcoming them back next year, during less challenging times."