Whitby Town Council Expresses Outrage Over Unannounced Ferris Wheel Installation

Whitby Town Council has voiced "total outrage" following the sudden appearance of a large sightseeing wheel on the town's West Cliff, stating that neither the council nor local businesses were consulted prior to its arrival.

Councillors have described the situation as "absolutely disgraceful" and have called for a strong letter of protest to North Yorkshire Council.

The temporary viewing wheel, which offers panoramic views of Whitby's coastline, harbour, and landmarks, is located on the green space behind the Whalebone Arch on West Cliff. It is scheduled to operate from Wednesday 9 July until Monday 4 August.

However, the manner of its installation has drawn sharp criticism. Whitby Town Mayor, Councillor Sandra Turner, stated that the premise of supporting a unitary council was collaborative work with town and parish councils, a promise she believes North Yorkshire Council has "failed us miserably" on.

"I think that the behaviour of North, the re council towards Whitby Town Council is absolutely disgraceful.

When they were looking for us all to support a unitary council, the premise of that was we will work collaboratively with all town and parish councils.  They've failed us miserably.

I'm not gonna say that I'm against the wheel at all. People find fun in this, but the location is absolutely the wrong location for this town.

And I think that we need to be sending a letter from this council expressing our total outrage of being excluded entirely.

I do believe that this council needs to send one in the strongest possible terms that anything that impacts our town, we do not read it on Facebook, absolutely disgraceful. And that in future we are consulted about everything that affects this town . "

Councillor Linda Wild echoed this sentiment, revealing she was inundated with messages about the wheel when it was installed

"I've got inundated with loads and loads of phone calls about the wheel when it appeared.

I spoke to the people at the hotel, they weren't happy about it at all. I spoke to other businesses in the area, they didn't know about it. We didn't know about it, and it's just absolutely the way it's going with North Yorkshire Council. They just think they can impose anything upon us in Whitby.

And it's there now in one of the best spots, people who come to Whitby are coming because they can see that view. They can see the abbey, they can see the harbour, they can see everything from that spot. You don't need to be in a big wheel for it.

That wheel, that giant wheel as they, as they call it, is just for money. It's just for profit for North Yorkshire Council and the people who own the wheel.

And now to add insult to injury, a food concession van has been added and the Trello's ice cream has been moved off their spot for that food concession.

The problem is how do we know this is not a precedent? How do we know that anybody that comes along that can earn them a traunch of money isn't just gonna be allowed to come and, and crop up in Whitby."

Concerns also extend to the financial implications for the town. Councillor Amanda Smith said that the big wheel is "affecting local businesses" following comments from a local resident at Tuesdays council meeting.

"The big wheel is obviously affecting local businesses and it's money that's been taken out of this town and this is happening too often. We have the gentleman here and one of his concerns was that shops are shutting down all over the town.

And indeed this is the case. And a large proportion of that is because we continuously afford out of town activities that come in, they take the money out of this town, and it literally goes out of town and it goes somewhere else. And we aren't supporting our local residents.

The wheel is just disgraceful. But we also need to point out that there were other things that they're doing. Like the tents. The tents at dock end, and things that this just is not acceptable."

Councillor Wild further questioned where the revenue generated by the wheel is going. She stated,

"You can see that wheel from every bit of the town, everywhere, and it's just ridiculous. And I think North Yorkshire Council should be told that they just can't keep on springing things on Whitby when we are their jewel in the crown and it's not right.

We've got to put up with those tents in dock end that are staying there increasingly longer and that is because of the rent that they afford to North Yorkshire Council.

Whitby has been absolutely ruined by all these additions from people who are used to running a rural council. This, this is a coastal town, not a rural area. So I just think we need to have more say in what, in what's going on in our town and this wheel.

Luckily, people are saying it's only here for just over three weeks, but that's three weeks too long. I've seen on Facebook, people cancelling their room, at the, Royal Hotel because of that wheel. And it's just absolutely outrageous and I think North Yorkshire Council should be brought to task on it.

And I think we should have some clear understanding that this is not going to be a precedent and then, and other things are just going to come after it for money. Are they giving owe any of that money? Is it going to the regatta? Is there anything coming to this town?

Is it just money that's going straight into their coffers and not giving us anything back? It's, it's absolutely shameful in my opinion."

The Big Wheel is located on the green space behind the Whalebone Arch on West Cliff, the wheel will operate daily from 11am to 7pm.

North Yorkshire Council say the wheel offers

"stunning panoramic views of the coastline, harbour, and Whitby Abbey perfect for families, couples, and solo visitors, the ride provides a relaxed and memorable way to enjoy the town’s iconic scenery. Tickets are £5 for those under 1.4m and £7 for over 1.4m.

No need to book—just turn up and take in the views. Please note, the wheel may close in poor weather or at short notice."