Torquay's big wheel arrives in town and reopens next week
Measures will be in place to make sure it can operate safely
Last updated 7th Apr 2021
You know summer is on its way when the English Riviera Wheel arrives in town.
It arrived in Torquay on Tuesday (6 April), on a series of specially adapted trailers.
The installation of the wheel will take about one week, and will open to the public from 12 April, until the end of the summer season.
This will be the ninth year that the popular attraction, providing a bird’s eye view of the English Riviera, will be in Torbay.
Standing almost 100ft above the gardens, riders get to experience breath-taking 360-degree views across Torquay Harbour and beyond.
Phil Black, Service Manager, Culture and Events, Torbay Council, said:
"We are really excited to welcome the wheel and our visitors back to Torbay.
"Over the years this attraction has become part of Torquay seafront and we are looking forward to having it back and ready for a responsible reopening as lockdown restrictions ease once again in the coming weeks".
James Mellors, Operating Director of Mellors Group, said:
"We are thrilled to be delivering a star attraction to the town of Torquay.
"Imagine breath-taking, 360-degree views 100 feet above The Princess Gardens.
"Our Big Wheel offers a bird’s eye view of the English Riviera overlooking Torquay Harbour from a rare perspective.
"Our attraction has been specifically chosen to adhere to COVID-19 guidelines and with both open air and rotating gondolas, it will certainly be an exciting experience for the entire family.
"We assure guests that social distancing measures are in place to ensure a safe but enjoyable environment for everyone. We look forward to welcoming both residents and visitors back again".
Socially distancing queuing measures will be in place, along with floor markings and queuing lanes to ensure the appropriate distance can be kept.
All fully-trained staff will be wearing PPE, and where possible customers are asked to pay using contactless payment methods.
In addition, customers will be asked to scan a QR code for track and trace purposes.
The open-air pods will be regularly disinfected throughout the day.
Customers will be asked to stay in their own bubble during queueing and riding the wheel.
The wheel will be open daily from 10am until 8pm and until 10pm during the school holidays.