Giant 50m Ferris wheel to visit Blackburn town centre
A 50m (164ft) observation wheel is coming to a Lancashire town centre following the success of a similar attraction. The Big Wheel will be arriving in Blackburn's Cathedral Square next month, giving guests panoramic views right across the town. A similar giant Ferris wheel attracted crowds in Darwen.Similar in height to 11 stacked double-decker buses and the largest transportable such device in the UK, Blackburn with Darwen Council's Quesir Mahmood said it would be a "spectacle" for the town.
The councillor said: "The views from the top will be incredible – especially over Blackburn Cathedral."The wheel, which will be opposite Blackburn Railway Station, is the largest the Bolton-based The Giant Wheel Company owns. The company's Evan de Koning said: "With fully enclosed gondolas, this is the largest transportable observation wheel in the UK."Riders will be able to visit the wheel from Saturday 3 May until 8 June.
The wheel has previously visited Manchester's Trafford Centre, with the company also supplying wheels for events such as the British Grand Prix at Silverstone and the Isle of Wight Festival.There are 36 gondolas available on the 50m wheel, each with space for six people with an adapted gondola with wheelchair access also available.Tickets will be available for the attraction, which is open from 12:00 BST to 22:00 Sunday to Friday, and 11:00 to 22:00 on Saturdays.
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