Developer, World Wheel Company, has unveiled new images of the proposed observation wheel for Newcastle Quayside – The Whey Aye.
Dubbed The Whey Aye in a nod to the local Geordie dialect, the 140 metre attraction will be the tallest wheel in Europe, outstripping the London Eye by 5 metres. The developers claim the project will see around £100m invested in the city, and the creation of up to 550 jobs.
The computer-generated images reveal The Whey Aye in the context of the ‘Giants on the Quayside’ development. This includes The Geordie Giant, a 39 ft (12 m) tall steel structure, and a new destination food and beverage experience called The Giant’s Quay.
“We have had an overwhelmingly positive response to our plans so far and hope this latest announcement will whet people’s appetites even further,” stated Phil Lynagh, Chief Executive Officer of World Wheel Company’s Newcastle operation.
“We are proposing a £100m regeneration and inward investment project that will create local jobs and ongoing revenue for the regional economy.”
Whey Aye to feature record-breaking LED digital screen
Other planned attractions include a family entertainment centre (FEC) featuring trampolines, climbing walls, a skywalk and separate café. The ‘Giant Sport Deck’ will be a multi-purpose play and sports complex, offering covered five-a-side pitches and tennis courts for public hire, as well as a state-of-the-art virtual golf club.
The first phase of development will include an LED digital screen on the facade of the visitor centre, located at the base of The Whey Aye. This will be used to communicate information about local culture and events, as well as social media content and advertising. Provided the developers are granted a media license, Phase Two will see a record-breaking 10,000 square metre LED digital screen added to the wheel.
“Our development will complement Newcastle’s global reputation as a vibrant, progressive, welcoming city and help deliver one of Europe’s best waterfront experiences,” commented World Wheel Company’s Chief Marketing Officer, Nigel Hartley.
“We look forward to presenting our full proposals to Newcastle City Council later this year.”
