Yorkshire Wheel

:Coordinates: {{Coord|53|57|36|N|1|05|44|W|type:landmark_region:GB}}

The Yorkshire Wheel was originally intended to be placed in the Tower Gardens on the other side of the River Ouse, opposite Cliffords Tower; however, because of residents' protests, the National Railway Museum site was preferred by the City of York Council. Planning permission was for three years.

In its first six months, the wheel carried 200,000 passengers.{{cite news|url=http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/866346.wheel_of_fortune/ |title=Wheel Of Fortune |work=The Press |date=5 August 2006| access-date=3 January 2017}}

It was the first wheel of its kind in North Yorkshire, and was inspired by the London Eye which opened a few years earlier. At {{Convert|54|m}}, it was somewhat smaller than the {{Convert|135|m}} of the London Eye, but could be no higher than York Minster, York's skyline height limit.

The operation of the wheel differed from that of the London Eye: visitors were allowed several rotations, and the wheel stopped to load and unload passengers. It had 42 passenger gondolas, including a VIP gondola with glass floor, screen, radio, and leather interior. Like the rest of the National Railway Museum, it was licensed as a venue for weddings, and weddings did indeed take place there. Speed dating on St. Valentine's Day in 2007 also took place.

Norwich Union, which has its headquarters in York, were the sponsors of the wheel, but that ended in late July 2007, after which the White Rose of York was added to the wheel's centre.

On the wheel's first anniversary, it was reported to have completed 32,500 revolutions.[http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/search/display.var.1326515.0.the_yorkshire_wheel_celebrates_its_first_birthday.php The Yorkshire Wheel celebrates its first birthday (From York Press)] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080326231253/http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/search/display.var.1326515.0.the_yorkshire_wheel_celebrates_its_first_birthday.php |date=26 March 2008 }}

In March 2008, tourist chiefs for the city called for the wheel to become a permanent fixture beyond its three years.{{cite news|url=http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/2156416.york_call_to_keep_city_centre_landmark/ |title=York Call To Keep City Centre Landmark |work=The Press|date=29 March 2008 |access-date=3 January 2017}}

On 27 August 2008, the local newspaper The Press reported that the wheel might be moved to another site in the city,[http://www.thepress.co.uk/news/3624234.Yorkshire_Wheel_may_be_moved_to_new_location/ Yorkshire Wheel may be moved to new location] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080912001401/http://www.thepress.co.uk/news/3624234.Yorkshire_Wheel_may_be_moved_to_new_location/ |date=12 September 2008 }} although a day later the opposition of conservation groups was noted.[http://www.thepress.co.uk/news/3627414.Riverside_location_opposed_by_conservation_groups/ Riverside location opposed by conservation groups] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080914034615/http://www.thepress.co.uk/news/3627414.Riverside_location_opposed_by_conservation_groups/ |date=14 September 2008 }}

The wheel turned for its final time in its original location on Sunday 2 November 2008. It was subsequently dismantled and was expected to be shipped abroad.[http://www.thepress.co.uk/news/3812935.Yorkshire_Wheel_goes_for_a_final_spin/ Yorkshire Wheel goes for a final spin] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090325215908/http://www.thepress.co.uk/news/3812935.Yorkshire_Wheel_goes_for_a_final_spin/ |date=25 March 2009 }}

In December 2008 local media announced that plans would be put forward "within weeks" for the relocation of the wheel to the riverside.[http://www.thepress.co.uk/news/3948619.Big_wheel_boss_set_on_York_riverside/ Big wheel boss set on York riverside] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081208080749/http://www.thepress.co.uk/news/3948619.Big_wheel_boss_set_on_York_riverside/ |date=8 December 2008 }}

A news article in The Press on 10 January 2009 stated that 42 per cent of local people backed the wheel being relocated to the North Street site in the centre of the city.{{cite news|url=http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/4037831.display/ |title=42pc want wheel for North Street |work=The Press |date=10 January 2009 |access-date=3 January 2017}}

The Press reported on 20 January 2009 that local councillors had rejected the relocation of the wheel,[http://www.thepress.co.uk/news/4061532.Big_wheel_in_North_Street_rejected_by_City_of_York_Council/ Big wheel in North Street rejected by City of York Council] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090224202007/http://www.thepress.co.uk/news/4061532.Big_wheel_in_North_Street_rejected_by_City_of_York_Council/ |date=24 February 2009 }} though talks were still ongoing on 20 February 2009,[http://www.thepress.co.uk/news/4141308.Talks_held_on_a_new_site_for_wheel_attraction/ Talks held on a new site for wheel attraction] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090223192956/http://www.thepress.co.uk/news/4141308.Talks_held_on_a_new_site_for_wheel_attraction/ |date=23 February 2009 }} and on 10 March 2009 the paper reported a possible move to another site, St. George's Field car park, though councillors had still not agreed to the move,{{cite news|url=http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/4188986.display/|title=St George’s Field car park possible site for York wheel |work=The Press |date=10 March 2009 |access-date=3 January 2017}} though the talks passed their first stage by 18 March.{{cite news|url=http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/4211454.display/ |title=Ruling councillors back new York wheel site|work=The Press|date=18 March 2009|access-date=3 January 2017}}

The Press reported on 10 July 2009 that there had been many objections to the relocation of the wheel, and that it may never return to the city.{{cite news|url=http://www.thepress.co.uk/news/4485694.Hundreds_object_to_proposed_location_of_new_big_wheel_in_York/| title=Hundreds object to World Tourist Attractions' big wheel plans for St George’s Field car park in York|work=The Press|date=10 July 2009|access-date=2 December 2016}}

Plans for the return of the wheel were withdrawn on 14 July 2009.[http://www.thepress.co.uk/news/4492753.York_big_wheel_plans_put_on_ice/ Wheel plans withdrawn] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090719210239/http://www.thepress.co.uk/news/4492753.York_big_wheel_plans_put_on_ice/ |date=19 July 2009 }}

:Coordinates: {{Coord|53.9591|-1.0914|type:landmark_region:GB}}

On 2 December 2010 it was announced that the wheel was set to return to York, ready to be up and running by 2011.[http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/8715738.Big_wheel_set_to_return_to_York/ Big wheel set to return to York in the Museum Gardens] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305205821/http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/8715738.Big_wheel_set_to_return_to_York/ |date=5 March 2016 }}

The wheel finally looked set for a return in news announced in October 2011. [http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/9295568.Big_wheel_bid_is_put_into_motion/ York big wheel bid is put into motion] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111009053945/http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/9295568.Big_wheel_bid_is_put_into_motion/ |date=9 October 2011 }}

After construction in The Principal York gardens was delayed for a few days by high winds, the operator, Great City Attractions, opened the {{Convert|53.3|m|ft|0|adj=on}}[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-york-north-yorkshire-21276399 BBC News – York residents 'concerned' over wheel extension] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150403015404/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-york-north-yorkshire-21276399 |date=3 April 2015 }} tall wheel to the public at 4:45 pm on Tuesday 13 December 2011.[http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/9418575.York_s_big_wheel_opens_to_the_public/ York's big wheel opens to the public] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150610221641/http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/9418575.York_s_big_wheel_opens_to_the_public/ |date=10 June 2015 }}

In July 2012 Great City Attractions went into administration. All its British wheels were bought by Dubai-based Freij Entertainment International, for operation by its UK subsidiary Wheels Entertainments.[http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/10176287.Bid_to_keep_York_s_big_wheel/ Bid to keep York's big wheel] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306031727/http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/10176287.Bid_to_keep_York_s_big_wheel/ |date=6 March 2016 }}

In February 2013 an application by Freij Entertainment International for the Yorkshire Wheel to remain in place until 30 November 2013 was considered by the City of York Council's planning committee. It was given permission to remain on the site only until 31 October.[http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/10244962.Big_wheel_to_stay_after_knife_edge_vote/ Big wheel to stay after knife-edge vote] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305205808/http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/10244962.Big_wheel_to_stay_after_knife_edge_vote/ |date=5 March 2016 }} It last operated on 30 September 2013 and was then dismantled.[http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/10708538.York_s_big_wheel_turns_for_the_very_last_time/ York's big wheel turns for the very last time] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306032438/http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/10708538.York_s_big_wheel_turns_for_the_very_last_time/ |date=6 March 2016 }}

{{Reflist}}

{{Commons category|Yorkshire Wheel}}

• {{Official website|1=http://www.freijwheels.com/our-wheels.php?city=York}}

{{Ferris wheel}}

Category:Buildings and structures in York

Category:Tourist attractions in York

Category:Transportable Ferris wheels