Should the Manchester wheel stay and if so where?

[jrb]

Originally Posted by Architecty

Oh joy. Didnt even get to see the refurbishment of the square complete before this joke came back. Whats the point in "public" space if it is filled up with money making tat?

What is people's problem with the big wheel? It's a tourist attraction. A very successful one at that. What is all the fuss about?

Don't worry, it's moving in the near future and the square will be back to normal. Jeez!

[highriser]

Ive got no problem at all with the wheel , but i agree it should NOT be in Exchange Square , i personally would prefer it in that square on Bridge St facing Manchester House

[macc]

It'd been nice to give it a shot in Piccadilly gardens but it doesn't fit and BofA have rightfully complained about it, so thats a write off.

It'd look hideous in Albert Square and St anne square is far too narrow. St. Peter's doesn't seem to have the land for it, though the location could draw people towards that part of town and still make a bit of cash.

By the GMEX it simply wouldn't make any money and you can get similar view from cloud23 anyway.

I think its exchange square or nothing. I think its fine the way it is; both the location and how it rolls in and out of town as a temporary attraction. Next years 300ft version will be preferable and hopefully look better at the base.

[JonH]

Whats the point in "public" space if it is filled up with money making tat?

What, like shops, hotels, cafes etc?

[kids]

I find it embarrasing, it says to visitors that that's all there is Manchester, this ugly retail area. The views are horrible. It'd be better round sackville st area, one of those carparks or the park, slap bang in the middle of the city.
Having this prettier view instead, and encouraging visitors dig deeper into the city:

image hosted on flickr

[Architecty]

Originally Posted by jrb

What is people's problem with the big wheel? It's a tourist attraction. A very successful one at that. What is all the fuss about?
Don't worry, it's moving in the near future and the square will be back to normal. Jeez!

It was great as a novelty, I’ve enjoyed going on it a couple of times, but I object to its relative permanence in Exchange Sq over the last few years and the length of time it stays for. The very obviously temporary base (and all the space needed for the water tanks), the tacky trees, fences and hoardings all cheapen what is otherwise one of the best achievements in the post bomb masterplan; turning a traffic island into usable public space. Supposedly temporary attractions should not takeover their location for half a year at a time; I love the fair coming to my local park for a weekend, I would consider it a nuisance and an eyesore if it was their for 6 months.
I object to exchange square having a lot of money spent on it and then being covered over, and I find it hard to see that the brand new surface wont be damaged. I object to the council who are paid to like it, deeming our public squares as so insignificant that it can be slapped up at will; and I object to the MEN who pay to sponsor it being so blatantly biased about it only possibly being a good thing.

Originally Posted by macc

It'd been nice to give it a shot in Piccadilly gardens but it doesn't fit and BofA have rightfully complained about it, so thats a write off.
It'd look hideous in Albert Square and St anne square is far too narrow. St. Peter's doesn't seem to have the land for it, though the location could draw people towards that part of town and still make a bit of cash.
By the GMEX it simply wouldn't make any money and you can get similar view from cloud23 anyway.
I think its exchange square or nothing. I think its fine the way it is; both the location and how it rolls in and out of town as a temporary attraction. Next years 300ft version will be preferable and hopefully look better at the base.

Give a purpose built permanent wheel a sensible location and a well designed base and I will be all for it. If a wheel was permanently sited all the support structure would be hidden underground and would not be nearly as damaging to the streetscape at its base. I agree though that almost any existing public space in the city would either be overwhelmed by it or the location would just not be economically viable. Frankly though, I just don’t think any sort of wheel is the best way to view a crowded dense city centre. It would be far superior for a future tower proposal to have a top floor public viewing deck, being able to stand in the open air with a 360 degree unobstructed view would actually be something spectacular. The London Eye is unique in terms of design and in terms of site and the view available; playing a lame game of “look we have a wheel too” is pathetic unless its actually something better.

Originally Posted by JonH

What, like shops, hotels, cafes etc?

No nothing like that. Public space, open to the air, like squares and parks should (the vast majority of the time) be free from obstruction and crappy temporary structures, I would equally despise a semi-permanent market stall or shop utterly taking over the space. A Xmas market for a couple of weeks is an event, if its their all the time it ceases to be a novelty, and ceases to be of interest and becomes a nuisance, I see the wheel exactly the same.
If you consider permanent built structures to be public space then I would suggest you are at best confused.

[SleepyOne]

I agree with all that.

[Mez]

Stevenson Square!!!

[skit_uk]

What about in front of the Manchester convention center? It might be a bit too quite at that end of town though.

[flange]

It's back

The big wheel returns



Cllr Pat Karney and MEN editor Paul Horrocks at the Big Wheel

THE Manchester big wheel will be rolling again today.

Operators have been putting the finishing touches to the 200ft attraction, sponsored by the Manchester Evening News and Channel M, and the first paying customers were expected some time this afternoon.

The wheel has proved a big hit with residents and visitors and is enjoying its final spell in the city before it is replaced by an even bigger version early next year.

John Lowery, manager at operators World Tourist Attractions, said: "It's very good to be back.

"Manchester is a great place and we have got a close relationship with the people here."

The 365-tonne wheel is in its original home of Exchange Square, which has had a revamp, including new trees and flagstones.

Its return comes after the M.E.N. brokered a deal between WTA and the city council. We intervened after 90 per cent of readers who responded to a phone poll demanded that the wheel come back.

Coun Pat Karney, the council's city centre spokesman, said: "We are delighted to have the wheel back in Manchester because we know it is so popular with everyone who visits the city."

Next year's wheel, two-thirds the height of the London Eye, will be in perpetual motion, with people walking on and off via a staging platform.

[BvizioN]

Yesssss...the big wheel is back

I toke these photos yesterday evening.

[markydeedrop]

[jrb]

"Hi!" "Have you seen Michael Jackson anywhere?" "I was hoping he wasn't dead, and was hiding in this thread."

TBD.

Big wheels keep turning after rescue deal


A BUYOUT of the company which operates the big wheels in Liverpool and Manchester has secured the jobs of its 85 employees.
WTA Global Holdings, which is based in Sutton Coldfield and traded as World Tourist Attractions, was placed into administration just before Christmas but administrators from corporate recovery specialists Begbies Traynor have since secured a sale of the firm to Elliot Hall, saving 85 jobs.

Partners John Kelly and Nigel Price from the Birmingham office of Begbies Traynor were appointed administrators of WTA on December 23.
Mr Kelly said: "WTA Global Holdings was formed in 2002 to install and operate large entertainment wheels in key locations.

"Based on the original Ferris Wheel but closer to the London Eye in terms of construction, significant investments were made and further funds raised from a number of financial institutions and individuals.
"The company would appear to have suffered as a result of some of the locations for the wheels not providing the income that had been forecast due to a downturn in visitor numbers because of the current financial global crisis, but mainly during 2009.

"While the wheels can be moved, a considerable cost is involved. The company sought further financial investment but due to the economic climate it was not forthcoming."

At the time of Begbies Traynor's appointment, WTA operated five wheels, all of which were subject to finance agreements.
Alongside the longstanding installation at Corporation Street next to Selfridges in Manchester and the newer wheel at Kings Dock in Liverpool, the company operated wheels at Weston Super-Mare, Dublin and at Hyde Park in London.

[jrb]

Originally Posted by kids

I find it embarrasing, it says to visitors that that's all there is Manchester, this ugly retail area. The views are horrible. It'd be better round sackville st area, one of those carparks or the park, slap bang in the middle of the city.
Having this prettier view instead, and encouraging visitors dig deeper into the city:

image hosted on flickr

BTW. What a great shot of the Manchester skyline. Not seen since 2007. Scarey.