Portobello’s big wheel ‘could stay’

A controversial ferris wheel in Portobello could become an annual summer fixture on the shores of Edinburgh, its operator John Thomson has revealed.

Confusion surrounded the wheel after Edinburgh City Council suspended a temporary licence for it, saying officials had granted it in error and it had been assembled amid complaints from neighbours.

However, after “progressive talks” with the council, the ride is to open to the public from 11am today and will stay open until 30 August, a notice from the local authority confirmed.

Mr Thomson, who had described the decision to suspend the licence as “unfair”, said he was delighted the ride would be operating and has revealed he hopes it could become a summer fixture on the Portobello seafront.

He said he hoped the wheel would reinvigorate the area and bring more tourists and visitors to Portobello if it was allowed to stand there each summer.

He said: “Going forward, our plan long term is to site the wheel here during the summer months.

“Portobello is a great location and it will help support the local economy and bring people to the area.

“We want to bring people to Portobello, it’s not a quick fix for us. A potential siting here will only benefit the whole town so that is our goal.”