Brighton’s big wheel looks likely to return, with the council’s cabinet being asked to approve a 25-year lease for the attraction on its former site in Madeira Drive.
A report to the council’s cabinet, which is due to meet on Thursday (17 September), said that the proposal, which would be subject to planning permission, would result in a “significant increase in rental income” for the council.
As well as bringing in income, the returning wheel would not result in “capital cost or operational risk to the council”.
The potential new operator was not named in the report but was described as a local family business, likely to be Brighton Zip and Dalton’s Bastion operators Madeira Leisure Limited owned by Jayne and Jeffrey Sanders.
The couple registered Bastion Entertainments Limited with Companies House at the end of last month.
The finances are also kept under wraps in restricted papers published for cabinet members’ eyes only.
When the Brighton Wheel was in place between 2011 and 2016, it proved a popular attraction.
But it had been agreed that the wheel would not remain in place at the same time as the i360, owned and operated by Marks Barfield.
The report to the council’s cabinet said: “At the time, the council took the view that supporting the launch of the new multimillion-pound i360 attraction was important to help it establish itself as a flagship visitor destination for Brighton and Hove.
“The wheel’s removal, around 10 years ago, reflected the council’s commitment to enabling the i360 to develop and strengthen the city’s tourism offer.”
After the collapse of the Brighton i360 company, the attraction was bought out of administration by entrepreneur Sarah Willingham’s company Nightcap, with more of a focus on hospitality.
The report said that the i360 had become better established and the wheel would complement existing attractions and provide a different visitor experience.
The report also said: “The proposal aligns with the council’s objectives to support economic growth, increase commercial property income, enhance the visitor economy and deliver visible improvements along the seafront.
“The return of the Brighton Wheel would complement existing attractions, increase footfall to the eastern seafront and contribute to the long-term vitality and attractiveness of the area.”
The wheel is expected to support and fit in with businesses to the east of the Palace Pier, including the Brighton Zip, Volk’s Railway, the Sea Life Centre and adventure golf.
The council’s cabinet is due to meet at Hove Town Hall at 10.30am on Thursday (17 September). The meeting is scheduled to be webcast.
