Bonn Square in Oxford, recently re-opened following a £2m revamp, was cordoned off last night for safety reasons after the temperature plummeted.
Contractors sprayed cleaning materials on to the square to prevent chewing gum from sticking to the surface, but when temperatures dropped they realised it could cause a potential health hazard with people slipping over.
As a result, the square was roped off yesterday afternoon.
It was expected to re-open this morning.
Louisa Dean, a spokesman for Oxford City Council, said: "We cordoned off Bonn Square as a precautionary measure after a team of contractors applied a water-based product and found that after several minutes the liquid was freezing.
"We had been applying liquid to prevent the build up of algae, dirt and help with the removal of chewing gum.
"The contractors stopped worked immediately and cordoned off the affected area.
“As a further precaution city works gritted the affected area. "
Bonn square was officially re-opened on Friday, on the same night as the Oxford Inspires WinterLight celebration.
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