Shopping in Manchester

Itchy on Ice

Ice skating is something that should be done in private. Like picking your nose or listening to Lilly Allen. Never have the consequences of gravity been so poignant than on a blanket of ice. Usually preceded by a Matrix-esque, bullet time fall, ‘Itchy on Ice’ has led to a number of painful bumps and scrapes. Understandably, we prefer our imitation of a foal learning to walk to be a private occasion.

So you can imagine our horror when some clever so and so decided to set up an ice rink in the middle of Piccadilly Gardens. An open air ice-rink no less. With no walls.

Don’t get us wrong, usually we have no problem with sacrificing our dignity in public (someone saw us going into Jabez Clegg once), except whenever you strap on a pair of shoes with blades, people automatically assume you can, you know, not fall over.

That’s not to say we’re unhappy with this festive addition to Manchester central. Reminiscent of some sickly sweet romantic comedy, we imagine skating hand in hand with our respective beaus. Probably whilst wearing scarves and mittens. Indeed, we scowl jealously at the eight year olds trying to woo their current crush, hoping their skills will convince them that a date to the cinema or local park wouldn’t be out of the question.

On Ice Piccadilly opens its ice doors on Friday 17th December until Sunday 7th January. Kudos be to the fine folk who decide to leave their dignity on more friction friendly surfaces- they provide us onlookers with more than enough entertainment for one evening. Expect us to be sitting at the nearby Christmas bar, giggling.

www.onicepiccadilly.com