Belfast Wheel
Encyclopedia
The Belfast Wheel was a 60 metres (196.9 ft) tall transportable Ferris wheel
installation in the centre of Belfast
, Northern Ireland
, in the grounds on the east side of Belfast City Hall
.
and the Department for Social Development
.
It opened in November 2007 and operated seven days a week. Views right across Belfast and Belfast Lough
could be seen from the 42 fully enclosed climate controlled capsules which rose to a height of almost 60 metres, on an approximately 13 minute trip. A VIP capsule with DVD, glass floor and champagne on ice was also available.
In May 2009, Belfast City Council voted to keep the big wheel on site for a further two years, from 1 September 2009. Subsequently, the Belfast Titanic Society objected to plans for the Belfast Wheel to remain at its current location because it obscured the Titanic Memorial. The structure of the wheel stood around and on top of the memorial, and the Society had proposed that the memorial be relocated to the north eastern corner of the City Hall grounds. On 30 November 2009, the location of the Belfast Wheel again caused a row, resulting in the Lord Mayor of Belfast
Naomi Long discussing the potential move of the Titanic Memorial before the 2012 anniversary.
The Belfast Wheel closed for business on Sunday 11 April 2010. The BBC
reported that "the company that owns it - Great City Attractions - announced a few weeks ago it would be removed after two and a half years next to the City Hall ... The Environment Agency
had objected to the wheel staying any longer as it wanted to ensure it did not become a permanent feature beside a listed building ... There had been talks about moving the wheel to Belfast's Titanic Quarter but there have been no developments on this." They also reported that "the last ride was at 1800 BST."
community engaged in a caravan protest over accommodation, was eventually brought back to the ground by a specialist team of firefighters and charged with disorderly behaviour and false imprisonment.
Ferris wheel
A Ferris wheel is a nonbuilding structure consisting of a rotating upright wheel with passenger cars attached to the rim in such a way that as the wheel turns, the cars are kept upright, usually by gravity.Some of the largest and most modern Ferris wheels have cars mounted on...
installation in the centre of Belfast
Belfast
Belfast is the capital of and largest city in Northern Ireland. By population, it is the 14th biggest city in the United Kingdom and second biggest on the island of Ireland . It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly...
, Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
, in the grounds on the east side of Belfast City Hall
Belfast City Hall
Belfast City Hall is the civic building of the Belfast City Council. Located in Donegall Square, Belfast, County Antrim, Northern Ireland, it faces north and effectively divides the commercial and business areas of the city centre.-History:...
.
History
The Belfast Wheel was owned and operated by World Tourist Attractions and was brought to Belfast in partnership with Belfast City CouncilBelfast City Council
Belfast City Council is the local authority with responsibility for the city of Belfast, the capital and largest city of Northern Ireland. The Council serves an estimated population of , the largest of any district council in Northern Ireland, while also being the fourth smallest by area...
and the Department for Social Development
Department for Social Development
The Department for Social Development is a devolved Northern Ireland government department in the Northern Ireland Executive. The minister with overall responsibility for the department is the Minister for Social Development.-Aim:...
.
It opened in November 2007 and operated seven days a week. Views right across Belfast and Belfast Lough
Belfast Lough
Belfast Lough is a large, natural intertidal sea lough at the mouth of the River Lagan on the east coast of Northern Ireland. The inner part of the lough comprises a series of mudflats and lagoons. The outer lough is restricted to mainly rocky shores with some small sandy bays...
could be seen from the 42 fully enclosed climate controlled capsules which rose to a height of almost 60 metres, on an approximately 13 minute trip. A VIP capsule with DVD, glass floor and champagne on ice was also available.
In May 2009, Belfast City Council voted to keep the big wheel on site for a further two years, from 1 September 2009. Subsequently, the Belfast Titanic Society objected to plans for the Belfast Wheel to remain at its current location because it obscured the Titanic Memorial. The structure of the wheel stood around and on top of the memorial, and the Society had proposed that the memorial be relocated to the north eastern corner of the City Hall grounds. On 30 November 2009, the location of the Belfast Wheel again caused a row, resulting in the Lord Mayor of Belfast
Lord Mayor of Belfast
The Lord Mayor of Belfast is the leader and chairman of Belfast City Council, elected annually from and by the City's 51 councillors.The Lord Mayor is Niall Ó Donnghaile of Sinn Féin, while the Deputy Lord Mayor is Ruth Patterson of the Democratic Unionist Party, who were elected in May 2011.The...
Naomi Long discussing the potential move of the Titanic Memorial before the 2012 anniversary.
The Belfast Wheel closed for business on Sunday 11 April 2010. The BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
reported that "the company that owns it - Great City Attractions - announced a few weeks ago it would be removed after two and a half years next to the City Hall ... The Environment Agency
Environment Agency
The Environment Agency is a British non-departmental public body of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and an Assembly Government Sponsored Body of the Welsh Assembly Government that serves England and Wales.-Purpose:...
had objected to the wheel staying any longer as it wanted to ensure it did not become a permanent feature beside a listed building ... There had been talks about moving the wheel to Belfast's Titanic Quarter but there have been no developments on this." They also reported that "the last ride was at 1800 BST."
Protest
On 22 June 2009 a 38-year-old man wearing only a pair of shorts climbed to the top of the wheel, which was brought to a standstill, trapping tourists for over three hours. The man, a member of the travellerIrish Traveller
Irish Travellers are a traditionally nomadic people of ethnic Irish origin, who maintain a separate language and set of traditions. They live predominantly in the Republic of Ireland, the United Kingdom and the United States.-Etymology:...
community engaged in a caravan protest over accommodation, was eventually brought back to the ground by a specialist team of firefighters and charged with disorderly behaviour and false imprisonment.