Wheel to close after ‘spy in the sky’ row

The Wheel of York has attracted more than 450,000 visitors since it opened at the end of 2011 and has become a landmark on the city’s skyline.

However Wheels Entertainments confirmed yesterday that the 200ft-high attraction in the Royal York Hotel’s gardens will close on September 29.

Operations manager John Lowery said York Council had warned permission for the wheel was unlikely to be renewed.

It was allowed to continue running until the end of September following a knife-edge vote by councillors in February.

At the time, the firm was told it was unlikely a further planning application would be approved after nearby residents said they were in view of people on the attraction.

Mr Lowery said: “It is a real shame, and the hotel has told us they wanted us to stay. We have already looked at other potential sites, but unfortunately none are suitable.”

The cost of dismantling the wheel will be about £80,000, according to Mr Lowery.

A previous giant wheel operated by another firm, Great City Attractions, at the National Railway Museum in York was removed after it failed to attract sufficient visitors.