‘Whey Aye, man’ – Geordies reach for the sky with massive wheel
● Attraction would be 5m higher than the London Eye and create up to 550 jobs
Plans have been announced to build Europe’s biggest observation wheel in Newcastle, with the structure being dubbed the “Whey Aye”.
Standing nearly 140m high beside the River Tyne, the developers said it will be 5m taller than the London Eye.
Construction of the new tourist attraction would create up to 550 jobs and mean more than £100 million being invested in the city.
The wheel would include a 10,000sqm LED digital screen in the middle, which would be used to communicate information about local culture and events as well as adverts. The proposed site is at the east end of the Quayside on the site of the former Spillers’ Flour Mill.
Artist’s impressions show the wheel standing far higher than other local landmarks including the Tyne Bridge and the Angel of the North.
Included in the experience would be bars and restaurants and a visitor attraction called Giants of the North, which would celebrate the achievements of the region’s sports stars and business people through history.
The wheel would boast 60 pods and patrons would be allowed to bring their own food on board. Space would be limited to eight people per pod, with the ability to enjoy the views without being surrounded by strangers billed as one of the advantages compared with the London Eye.
The plans were announced by the World Wheel Company, which has built and operated giant observation wheels and family entertainment centres around the globe.
The company said visitors would be taken on a 30-minute “flight” on the Whey Aye – the company’s phonetic rendering of the Geordie phrase “why aye”. It is hoped the observa- tion wheel will attract 800,000 visitors in the first year of operation.
A detailed planning application will be submitted later this year. The wheel would stand seven times higher than the Angel of the North – the area’s iconic steel structure that overlooks the A1 and A167 roads into Tyneside.
Newcastle football hero Alan Shearer said: “It’s just what the city needs – a new iconic attraction that celebrates our rich history and culture, while creating jobs and income for the people.
“A development like this would have my full support.”
Phil Lynagh, chief executive officer of World Wheel Company’s Newcastle operation, said: “This is without doubt one of the most exciting investment and regeneration projects in the UK, if not the world.”
“It’s just what the city needs–a new iconic attraction that celebrates our rich history and culture ...”
ALAN SHEARER
Former Newcastle United player