Firm eyes up a major deal for refit of a London landmark

Novaglaze Gardner & Newton (NGN), based in Huddersfield, will manufacture replacement glass for the Eye's capsules.

The deal comes as the Eye is refurbished to mark its 10th birthday.

Merlin Entertainments Group, which operates the attraction, is improving the capsules over a three year programmes. Each of the 32 pods will be removed and floated down the Thames to Tilbury Docks in Essex, before going by road to Worcester, where changes to heating and ventilation will make them more energy efficient. Each capsule, which contains 40 glass panels, will be checked and NGN will replace

the glass where necessary. The glass is bent both ways and laminated.

David Sharpe, from Merlin, said: "The project is a huge testament to the talent and industry we have here in Britain, with the large majority of companies working with us being British businesses."

A spokesman for NGN said they would not know the value of the deal until all the pods had been checked.

The firm was formed when Novaglaze took over Gardner & Newton, which was set up in 1836. Today the firm has 59 staff and turns over 3m.

The Eye, on the south bank of the River Thames, is the world's tallest cantilevered observation wheel.