Whitby's MP is calling on North Yorkshire Council to appoint an officer with personal responsibility for the town.
It comes after the installation of a sightseeing wheel on West Cliff caused outrage at the Town Council and with some local businesses who weren't consulted before the wheel arrived.
Alison Hume MP said:
“Whitby Town councillors and many businesses are rightly annoyed they weren’t consulted before it was decided to install a large sightseeing wheel on West Cliff.
“I can also understand why it’s annoyed residents at the Royal Hotel, who thought they’d booked rooms with beautiful sea views and are now looking out at a mini fairground.
“The confusion also meant that an ice cream seller was forced to move from his usual pitch at short notice. I’m glad to hear he’s been able to find another spot nearby.
“To avoid something similar happening again, I suggest North Yorkshire Council appoint an officer with personal responsibility for Whitby who can liaise with local stakeholders on issues such as this.
“My opinion on whether it’s the right place to put a big wheel isn’t important.
“But working collaboratively with Whitby Town Council is.”
Whitby Town Council expressed "total outrage" over the unannounced appearance of the large wheel, asserting that neither they nor local businesses were consulted beforehand. Councillors described the situation as "absolutely disgraceful" and called for a "strong letter of protest to North Yorkshire Council".
North Yorkshire Council has acknowledged that it "could have done better in communicating it before it arrived", the council has apologised for communication breakdowns.
There were mixed views on the wheel itself from visitors to the town this weekend.
One guests staying in the Royal Hotel said:
"We are on holiday in there, we're sitting there having our evening meal and all we can see is that blooming thing going creek. It's an eyesore.
And, we've been a walk up to Sandsend this morning. When you look back at the Abbey, all you can see is that blooming thing."
Another visitor to the town added:
"I don't like it. I've come up from London. It's detracts from it, It's more like Southend now, Blackpool and all the crap holiday destinations, I wouldn't touch it. It's tacky. Very tacky. "
But other visitors were accepting of the wheel with one saying:
"I don't think it's an eyesore. It's something different, and I mean, if people are wanting to go on it then fine"
The big wheel, located on the green space behind the Whalebone Arch on West Cliff, is scheduled to operate from Wednesday 9 July until Monday 4 August.
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