Although no final decision has yet been made about its long-term future, the Christmas ice rink at Tynwald Mills will go ahead this year.

Stephen Bradley, managing director of Tynwald Mills, said: ’The planning process regarding the ice rink is still ongoing but, whilst it is still ongoing, the status quo will remain and this year’s Christmas ice rink will go ahead, opening on December 9.’

Last year 11,000 people enjoyed the use of the ice rink with local schools offered subsidises sessions.

Many people had been up in arms about the possibility of losing a popular Christmas outing. Tynwald Mills’ Facebook page has crashed twice over the last few weeks with more than 10,000 hits and two petitions currently running on social media have attracted around 1,000 signatures each.

Comments made on social media included one from mum of two, Tiffany Kerruish, who said: ’Our kids love the ice rink and its location at Tynwald Mills is perfect. Plenty of parking (at a time when Douglas is swamped with traffic) and attached to your other facilities makes for a fantastic festive family outing.’

Tynwald Mills took on the running of a Christmas ice rink in 2012 after it proved to be unviable to hold it in a Douglas location.

Mr Bradley added: ’It works at Tynwald Mills but it is still dependent on the generosity of our sponsors who this year will be plan.com.’

The marquee in which the Christmas ice rink is housed will be taken down in January.

In previous years it has remained open through the year and has provided a venue for numerous charity and community events, enabling more than £100,000 to be raised for good causes.