An observation wheel is set to have a presence on the Quayside as part of a plan to re-develop the area, costing the World Wheel Company developers £100m. The observation wheel, to be named ‘Whey Aye’, is to be 140 metres tall, five metres taller than the London Eye and will be the tallest Ferris wheel in Europe to date. For a 30 minute “flight” above the city of Newcastle the wheel will tower over the Tyne Bridge, Monument and the Angel of The North, giving visitors spectacular views.
The new project is to be located in the east end of the Quayside, on the former Spillers’ Flour Mill site and is to feature a family focused entertainment centre and food and drink outlets. At the base of the Ferris wheel a record-breaking 11,960 sq. m LED digital screen will stand solely to display information about Newcastle’s local culture and events.
The ‘Geordie Giant’, who is also part of the development plans, will stand as a 39ft steel structure at the entrance to welcome visitors and will be able to move its head and arms to act as a timepiece. The attraction will also include a multi-purpose play and sport complex including 5-a-side pitches, tennis courts and a virtual golf course.
The ‘Giants on The Quayside’ project is to bring 550 jobs to the region and has been estimated to bring in 800,000 visitors a year, boosting the region’s economy.
The project will cover 344,500 sq. ft and is predicted to take 18 to 24 months to complete. A thorough planning application detailing the observation wheel and the ‘Giant’s on The Quayside’ project is due to be submitted by the developers to Newcastle City Council at a later date this year.
