Large observation wheel coming to Littlehampton seafront

Sporting the rather grand name of an Observation Wheel, it will be set up on the coach park, in Banjo Road, on Friday (July 24) after being given the go-ahead by Arun District Council.

During a meeting of the cabinet, Samantha Staniforth, cabinet member for neighbourhood services, described the arrival of the 35m high wheel as ‘terribly exciting’, adding: “To have it here would be an enormous boost to us.

“This can only be a really good thing. I’m hoping it’s going to boost our local economy, it’s going to be bringing people in from out of area.”

The wheel will be provided by The Giant Wheel Company and will only be in place for 28 days.

Martin Lury (Lib Dem, Bersted) said the wheel was ‘a visual signal that Arun is open for tourism’, while Matt Stanley (Lib Dem, Marine) added: “While it has an obvious advantages in terms of visitors and drawing people in, it will also give residents something nice to do – a reason to start venturing out.”

A report to the meeting said the wheel would bring no costs to the council but, after the first £20,000 of sales, Arun could receive 10 per cent of the income.

There was cross-party support for its arrival with Conservative leader Shaun Gunner declaring it to be ‘fantastic news for Littlehampton and fantastic news for Arun’.

Tickets can be purchased at the attraction, with card payments being encouraged. A standard ticket costs £5, Junior under 1.4m £4, Family 2 + 2 or 1

adult + 3 children £15.

For more information about the company running the attraction click here.

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