City's big wheel hailed a 'tremendous success'

A city's new 108ft (33m) ferris wheel has been hailed a "tremendous success" after almost 9,000 people rode on it in three weeks.

The Big Sky Wheel, which closed on Sunday, opened in the centre of Ripon's Market Place on 5 April.

It was the first time the attraction - which offered views of Ripon Cathedral, Fountains Abbey and the White Horse at Kilburn - had been set up in the city.

Lilla Bathurst, manager at Ripon Business Improvement District, said the wheel, in place over the Easter school holidays, had "really put Ripon on the map".

Ms Bathurst said the attraction could be "seen from everywhere" with residents, visitors, and businesses all offering "very positive feedback" and the wheel creating "a fantastic buzz around the city".

"Views from the wheel have been wonderful and it was brilliant over the school holidays, as an activity for parents and grandparents to do," she added.

There was a temporary stop to the wheel's spinning after it became engulfed in smoke when its generator caught fire two days after opening.

It was extinguished using a bucket of water before the fire service arrived.

Tim Dabell, events officer for the parks and grounds team at North Yorkshire Council, said months of preparation had been needed ahead of the wheel's installation, to ensure there was enough space and ground strength in place.

He said: "We've had it in Harrogate as part of the Christmas market offerings, so we thought, why can't we use it all around the district?"

Speaking about the chances of the wheel becoming a regular fixture in the city, Ms Bathurst said: "It may not be something that we do every year, one's got to be careful of too much repetition.

"But I would very much hope that if we don't get something next year, then perhaps the year after, and if not same thing, then something similar."

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