Getting your skates on - supply responds to demand

The economy might be skating on thin ice, but the market demand for artificial skating rinks shows no sign of melting away judging from the number of temporary ice rinks that are springing up across the length and breadth of the country.

In central London alone there will be at least ten rinks to choose from and the O2 arena is creating an indoor ski slope perhaps to cater for those who have cancelled their annual skiing holiday.

Demand for skating rinks has grown on the back of the success of programmes such as Dancing on Ice. But the economic downturn could also provide a boost in sales as families look for cost-effective ideas for an evening out. The ice rink outside Somerset House is expecting close to a quarter of a million users during the festive period and the venue provides a fully licensed bar for those who cannot skate or prople who eant to rustle up some Dutch courage before sliding onto the rink.

Environmentalists are worried that the surge in supply of temporary ice rinks, many of which use a huge amount of energy - will do little to promote measures to cut emissions.

Here are the ticket prices for the Somerset House rink - providing another good example of price discrimination at work!

Adults, day £10.50
Adults, evening £12.50
Adult, late skate £15.00
Children, day £7.50 A child is anyone aged 12 or under
Children, evening £8.00
Family Ticket, day £30.00 A family is 1 adult + 3 children or 2 adults + 2 children
Family Ticket, evening £32.00
Student £7.50 Availablity limited to specific sessions