Belfast Wheel
{{Short description|Ferris wheel in Northern Ireland}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2022}}
{{Use British English|date=March 2013}}
File:Belfast Wheel, March 2010.JPG
File:Belfast Wheel (08), December 2009.JPG
File:Belfast Wheel (05), December 2009.JPG
The Belfast Wheel was a {{Convert|60|m|adj=on}} tall transportable Ferris wheel installation in the centre of Belfast, Northern Ireland, in the grounds on the east side of Belfast City Hall. It operated from November 2007 to April 2010.
History
The Belfast Wheel was brought to Belfast in partnership with Belfast City Council and the Department for Social Development.{{cite web | title=The Wheel of Belfast | work=World Tourist Attractions | url=http://worldtouristattractions.co.uk/wta_wheel_belfast.php | accessdate=4 July 2009 | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090601181436/http://www.worldtouristattractions.co.uk/wta_wheel_belfast.php | archivedate=1 June 2009 | url-status=dead }} It was operated by World Tourist Attractions.
It opened in November 2007 and operated seven days a week. Views right across Belfast and Belfast Lough could be seen.{{cite news|url=http://www.newsletter.co.uk/news/All-aboard-the-big-wheel.3423616.jp|title=All aboard the big wheel|date=2007-10-29|work=News Letter (Belfast)|publisher=Johnston Press Digital Publishing|accessdate=2008-06-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071030182337/http://www.newsletter.co.uk/news/All-aboard-the-big-wheel.3423616.jp|archive-date=30 October 2007|url-status=dead}}
In May 2009, Belfast City Council voted to keep the big wheel on site for a further two years,{{cite news | title=Man held after Big Wheel climb | work=BBC Northern Ireland (23 June 2009) | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/8113757.stm | accessdate=4 July 2009 | date=23 June 2009| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20090625050833/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/8113757.stm| archivedate= 25 June 2009 | url-status= live}} from 1 September 2009.{{cite web | title=Titanic fans want Belfast memorial to be relocated | work=Encyclopedia Titanica (5 June 2009) | url=http://www.encyclopedia-titanica.org/newsview.php?pageNum_rs_news=129&totalRows_rs_news=649&news=1244210169 | accessdate=4 July 2009 | url-status=dead | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100905185408/http://www.encyclopedia-titanica.org/newsview.php?pageNum_rs_news=129&totalRows_rs_news=649&news=1244210169 | archivedate=5 September 2010 }} 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.[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/8385711.stm BBC News website]
The Belfast Wheel closed for business on Sunday 11 April 2010. The operator, Great City Attractions, had announced a few weeks previously that it would be removed.{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/8613978.stm | publisher=BBC News | title=Last day for Belfast's Big Wheel | date=11 April 2010}}
Protest
{{cite web | title=Man charged over Belfast big wheel climb| last=McCreary |first= Matthew |date=23 June 2009| work=Belfast Telegraph| url=http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/man-climbs-belfasts-200ft-wheel-attraction-14353848.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090626052214/http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/man-climbs-belfasts-200ft-wheel-attraction-14353848.html | url-status=dead | archive-date=26 June 2009 | accessdate=4 July 2009}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20080317173319/http://www.belfastcity.gov.uk/cityhall/bigwheel.asp Belfast City's official web page for the Belfast Wheel]
{{Commons category|Belfast Wheel}}
{{Ferris wheel}}
{{Coord|54|35|48.77|N|5|55|45.06|W|region:GB|display=title}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:Transportable Ferris wheels