Newcastle to beat London with Europe's tallest observation wheel

Developers have announced plans for a 140m tall observation wheel for Newcastle's Quayside

Artists' impression of the Newcastle wheel, with the huge LED screen at its centre

Plans to build Europe’s tallest observation wheel in Newcastle have been announced by developers.

At 140m high, the wheel will be five metres taller than the London Eye.

The wheel will be built on the site of the former Spillers’ Flour Mill on Newcastle’s Quayside as part of a £100m project that will include bars, restaurants and a 9,000 sq m visitor attraction celebrating the creative, sporting and industrial giants of northern England.

Also on site will be a family entertainment centre and a multi-purpose play and sports complex, with covered five-a-side pitches and tennis courts and a virtual golf club.

The wheel will offer 30-minute “flights” and feature a record-breaking 10,000 sq m LED digital screen as its centre piece. The screen will provide information about local events, as well as showing social media content and advertising.

Towering above local landmarks such as the Tyne Bridge (59m) and Grey’s Monument (40m), the wheel will dominate the Newcastle skyline.

The project will create up to 550 local jobs and welcome more than 800,000 visitors in its first year, according to developers the World Wheel Company. Plans are due to be submitted to Newcastle City Council later this year and once planning has been approved, the project is expected to take 18 to 24 months to complete.

Artists’ impression of the Newcastle wheel with the Tyne Bridge in the foreground

Newcastle’s Quayside used to be home to warehouses and factories but is now a major culture and lifestyle destination. The wheel, dubbed “The Whey Aye” in a nod to the famous Geordie phrase, joins attractions such as the BALTIC Centre For Contemporary Art, Sage Gateshead and The Quayside Market.

The Spillers building was demolished in 2011, and the site has lain vacant since then, though a summer music festival was held annually at Spiller’s Wharf between 2003 and 2013.

The World Wheel Company, which is Hong Kong-based but will be overseeing the project from an office in Newcastle, has already built giant observation wheels in China and Georgia. The Newcastle wheel will be the company’s tallest yet, though no competition for the current world-record holder, the High Roller in Las Vegas, which stands at 167.5m.

Former footballer and pundit Alan Shearer, who played for Newcastle United for over 10 years, said of the plans: “I think it would be great news for Newcastle. It’s just what the city needs. A new iconic attraction that celebrates our rich history and culture, while creating jobs and income for the people. A development like this would have my full support.”