A VENUE which raises cash for a museum has come up with a novel way to pull in the punters – building an ice rink.

Families will be able to visit the open-air facility at Lains Barn, near Wantage, over the festive period.

The rink, which is big enough to host 120 skaters, opens on Saturday.

And it is hoped the venture will kickstart a revival of the building’s fortunes after a period of financial difficulties.

Future proposals include holding business conferences, with plans to install projectors, a sound system and tele-conference equipment.

The building is owned by the Vale and Downland Museum in Wantage and gives its profits to the museum.

Phil Pike, events and promotions manager at the barn, said it was an exciting time for the venue.

He said: “The ice rink is the start of the reinvention of Lains Barn.

“We have undergone difficulties and are starting to get back on a sound financial footing.”

In 2007 the Oxford Mail reported the barn was struggling to sell tickets for events.

A race night and a karaoke night had to be cancelled and a Halloween family disco was scrapped after no tickets were sold.

Mr Pike said wedding bookings had also suffered.

He added: “We’re having to expand to different areas.

“Obviously, it’s something people are concerned about, because we’re owned by the museum and our profits go to them, but we will make sure that our visitor numbers are up and that will benefit the museum.”

The ice layers for the 20m by 15m rink were created this week by freezing a water and glycol solution. A chiller plant keeps the ice at the correct temperature.

The rink will run until January.

Wantage district councillor Bill Melotti said: “Hopefully this will be a good money-spinner for both the barn and the museum, and we all want to see it be a success.”

Craig Heart, manager of the Vale and Downland Museum, said: “As a lot of people are aware, the profits of Lains Barn go towards the museum so we’re very excited about the plans.

“It’s very difficult for us because we have to find 70 per cent of our funds ourselves.

“Lains Barn is a great venue, with some exciting events planned and we’re looking forward to the future.”

The ice rink will be open from 10am to 8.30pm, Sunday to Wednesday, and 10am to 9.30pm, Thursday to Saturday. Tickets cost £7.50 and £5.50.