The long-awaited opening of an ice rink in Canterbury has been branded a “complete shambles” this week amid continued delays and customers complaining about failed bookings.

Operators originally planned to launch the festive attraction in the Dane John Gardens on December 1, but the project still looks nowhere near completion.

The situation has angered many who had booked to use the rink on a website that was prematurely made live to the public.

Kym Amos had paid £135 for 24 schoolchildren from St Stephen’s Juniors to use it on Monday, but it had yet to open and operators failed to respond to her emails.

“It was meant to be a treat for the children, who were very disappointed when we had to tell them it wouldn’t be happening,” said Mrs Amos, who is the school’s family liaison officer.

“Since then I have had no response from the company about getting our money back. It’s a complete shambles.

“It was such a shame for our children but fortunately we were able to take them to Play Islands in Wincheap, which kindly accommodated us at short notice so at least they had a treat.”

The launch of the rink was initially put back from December 1, to Saturday, December 9, and then to Monday, December 11.

But when KentOnline's sister paper the Kentish Gazette visited the site yesterday morning, there was no sign of any ice on the rink or any work being carried out.

We called the company running the attraction, Noah and the Shed, and were told we would be called back in half-an-hour. Our call was never returned.

The city council says it has allowed the firm to use its land for the rink, but is playing no part in the attraction’s operation.

When it will open remains unclear.