Bid to bring giant Olympic wheel to Torquay seafront
A GIANT wheel used for the Olympic Village could be coming to Torbay.
Operators of the 55-metre high observation wheel are in talks with Torbay Council about bringing it to the Princess Gardens from mid-August to the end of October.
It is currently at the Olympic Park in London and was used in Hyde Park last year as part of the royal wedding celebrations.
Nick Vass, events planning manager for Nottingham-based Mellors Group, said: "We are very keen to come to Torquay and are in discussions at the moment.
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"It is a large structure and it has to be in a position that will attract people.
"We know it is a very short timeframe and if it cannot happen this year, then we would be very keen to come back next year."
The observation wheel could be sited next to the Pavilion at Princess Gardens.
It would mean the temporary removal of a Torbay palm within a small flower bed.
The authority said it would be carefully potted up and reinstated after the wheel has gone.
A Torbay Council spokesman said the firm got in contact as part of the expressions of interest process for concessions for the beach areas.
He said: "We did show the operator a number of potential sites for the attraction, but a section of Princess Gardens next to the Pavilion in Torquay was the only spot the operator would consider.
"We understand there was considerable support for the observation wheel proposal at a recent meeting of the Torquay Neighbourhood Planning Forum. We are waiting for information from our structural engineering team relating to the suitability of the proposed site before making a decision on whether to grant a temporary licence to the operator.
"We hope to be in a position to make a decision in the next week or so."
Cllr Darren Cowell raised the proposal at Torbay's Neighbourhood Plan Forum.
He said: "I think it could be a really interesting attraction to extend the season and importantly, would not be of any cost to the council."
Forum chairman Susie Colley said members agreed in principle but welcomed a business plan.
Comments
by cherrie54
Monday, July 23 2012, 5:47PM
“I suppose paignton would have been a better site views wise but the site being looked at is a lot better than nothing. Hope it do come. By the way these wheels are disabled and elderly friendly so fun for all ages. Provided not too dear to go on, rip off merchants keep away.”
by Paultqy
Saturday, June 16 2012, 11:01AM
“Have to agree with 'TheFibber@ here.
Would be a great attraction and the right place to be positioned.
Fingers crossed that is does appear in Torbay.”
by TheFibber
Saturday, June 16 2012, 12:28AM
“It would make a great permanent fixture in Torre Abbey gardens, right where the balloon used to be.”
by R_Spandit
Friday, June 15 2012, 9:17PM
“Great idea, assuming they pay the rent for the land.”
by GullsFanDan
Friday, June 15 2012, 12:50PM
“@ Northbrook 39. I actually submitted an article about an Alton Tower type park in Torbay. It went to print a few years ago. Sitting back, what is there for tourists to do. Really.....Not very much. Devon and Cornwall are the holiday destination of the UK and there isnt really that much people can go and visit. If we had an Alton Towers type resort then there would be much more to entice visitors down here.
@ Hocus_Pocus. Love your comment. That is a good idea especially that there isnt really much for our elders that come down here in coaches.”
by Northbrook39
Friday, June 15 2012, 11:47AM
“So when I win £150 million on the lottery, and want to use the money to build an Alton Towers type park in Torbay that will bring in hundreds of thousands of visitors every year, provide hundreds of local jobs, and revitalise the economy, will the moaners complain about that too?”
by JRS1234
Friday, June 15 2012, 12:45AM
“What a great idea lets go for it I say”
by maninmuffti
Thursday, June 14 2012, 11:14PM
“o dear another tacky item in the bay , well my dears it would not have happended in my day when torquay was for retired ladies and gentlemen , now its on par with black pool what with a balloon , tell them to go away , hows that then folks sums up the bay nicely”
by wiscot
Thursday, June 14 2012, 9:26PM
“That's a good idea Hocus_Pocus! But it would have to be in Torre Abbey Gardens.”
by Hocus_Pocus
Thursday, June 14 2012, 9:07PM
“What do you moaning minnies want? There is a wheel in most large Cities, they prove to popular and if it keep the tourist (and their money) in Torbay for one extra day then bring it on. Or shall we have a Mobility Scooter Race Track, or a Zimmer Frame and Carpet Slippers Museum......”