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Our Season So Far: Three Months on the Ice with Marshalls International
It’s been a busy few months at Marshalls International. While most people were enjoying the summer, we were painting ice, building an arena rink, delivering machines and getting skate aids out of the door ahead of the winter rush.
The rinks are open now and the next few weeks are a little quieter for us, so it felt like the right time to look back at what we’ve been up to. If you run a rink, it might also give you a few ideas for spring and summer 2027.
Painting the ice at Alexandra Palace and Lee Valley
Summer is ice painting season and this year we were back at two of London’s best-known rinks. At Lee Valley Ice Centre we laid fresh lines, markings and a crisp white base in under eight hours, as we have every year since the rink opened in 2023.
At Alexandra Palace we repainted the ice ready for a busy year of public skating and events. Both venues are already looking ahead too: Alexandra Palace is among the first bookings in our 2027 painting diary.
A new Olympia on lease for Altrincham
We delivered a new Olympia Millennium to the ice rink in Altrincham on a three-year lease, with servicing arranged alongside. Leasing lets an operator put a new machine on the ice without a large capital outlay and it’s a route more and more rinks are taking.
It joins a growing list of Olympias we supply, lease and look after across the UK.
Bringing hockey back to the AO Arena Manchester
The biggest job of the year was a personal one. We supplied the barriers, the IceCap Pro event floor and the resurfacer for the AO Arena Manchester and our team looked after the ice as hockey returned to the arena.
The first game drew a crowd of 11,062 and was shown on ITV. For our MD Mark Johnson, who laid the first ice in the arena back in 1995, it was a full-circle moment.
Skate Mates heading out across the country
Penguins, snowmen, polar bears, walruses and ride-ons have been leaving our yard all autumn. One rink in Oxford took 35 in a single delivery and Skate Mates quotes have gone out to outdoor and seasonal rinks across the UK and overseas.
Skate aids are on around 85% of UK rinks and it’s easy to see why: they get first-timers off the barrier and back for another session.
Olympia box, tractor units and machines for export
Our Olympia box and tractor units have been part of the winter hire fleet this season. Further afield, two refurbished Olympia 500s were shipped to a client in Mexico and a new Olympia Millennium H has joined our stock with more machines on the way.
Pinguinos out on hire for the winter
The compact electric WM Pinguino has been our most in-demand machine this year. Pinguinos are out on hire to winter rinks and events, including Celtic Manor, Silverstone and Reading and the fleet was fully booked by early October.
Quiet, clean and electric, it’s ideal for temporary and seasonal rinks and demand for next winter is already building.
Servicing and support, all season
Behind every project is the work that keeps rinks running. Our engineers carried out pre-season services on machines of every make, genuine parts went out on next-day delivery and our support line has stayed busy through the opening weeks of the season.
Now's the time to plan for spring and summer 2027
Most of the jobs above were booked months in advance. If you’re thinking about work for next year, the quieter winter weeks are the best time to start the conversation:
- Ice painting: our 2027 diary is open and summer dates go first.
- Barriers: plan replacements and refurbishments for the summer shutdown.
- Resurfacers: buy, lease or refurbish before next season.
- Skate Mates: stock up for February half-term.
Talk to us about 2027 →
Call 0800 092 0285 or email office@marshallsinternational.com
Frequently asked questions
When should I book ice painting for next summer?
As early as possible. Summer is the busiest time for ice painting because most rinks repaint during their shutdown, so the best dates are taken first. Marshalls International's 2027 diary is already open.
Can I lease an ice resurfacer instead of buying one?
Yes. Marshalls International leases new and refurbished Olympia resurfacers on multi-year terms, with servicing arranged alongside, so you can put a newer machine on the ice without a large capital outlay.
Does Marshalls International service all makes of ice resurfacer?
Yes. Our engineers service all makes, we hold genuine parts for next-day UK delivery and we offer support throughout the season.
What did Marshalls International supply for the AO Arena Manchester?
Marshalls International supplied the barriers, the IceCap Pro event floor and the ice resurfacer and looked after the ice as ice hockey returned to the arena in September 2026.
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