CIVIC chiefs have hailed Southampton’s winter ice rink a success.

But although the Civic Centre ice pad brought out more skaters than a previous council effort , just over half the numbers expected donned skates.

The temporary rink, supplied and operated by Cousins Entertainment Limited, attracted more than 25,000 skaters over its seven week run.

Councillor John Hannides, Southampton City Council’s Cabinet member for leisure, said it had been “a great success” and at no cost to the taxpayer.

“It’s the first time the city has hosted a temporary ice rink on a commercial basis and it went down extremely well.”

Alan Abretti, director of Cousins Entertainment, who had initially predicted as many as 50,000 customers, said: “We have enjoyed providing a high quality ice skating experience and are very pleased with the positive responses we’ve had from Southampton citizens.”

Cllr Hannides promised fellow councillors he would look at reducing the cost of booking tickets in future ventures after complaints.

The Daily Echo last year backed a new bid to bring ice skating back to Southamp-ton – 20 years after the city’s Top Rank rink at Banister Park closed down.

Leading campaigner Edna Bowden from the Southampton Ice Dance and Figure Skating Club said: “You can’t compare a temporary rink with a permanent one. But at the times I’ve used it it’s been superb and great fun. The credit crunch might have been a factor why they’ve not had more people. The cost at this time might have something to do with it.”

A previous temporary Christmas rink in 2006 at Guildhall Square had more than 16,000 skaters over its five week-run but made a £60,000 loss for the council because of poor planning and sponsorship.

Winchester's Christmas rink attracts more than 30,000 people.