The town’s new wheel will be installed by early March to mark the official 150 years of Clacton, courtesy of Clacton Pavilion
Clacton Pavilion is set to install Clacton’s 150th Anniversary Wheel by the beginning of March after being granted planning permission. Measuring over 30 metres high and 20 metres wide, the wheel will be situated within the grounds of Pavilion with glorious views across the seafront. The new tourist attraction marks the town’s historic landmark and will create 10 new jobs in the town.
The landmark attraction will be in place within the month and ready to accept its first guests once the COVID-19 restrictions begin to be lifted. It will consist of 24 gondolas, able to hold a total of 144 guests at a time, with many adapted for wheelchair access. Local businesses can sponsor gondolas to put their own stamp on a project that celebrates a special occasion for Clacton with half of the monies raised going to local charities. Once open to the public, guests will be able to book a time to enjoy a ride online.
Billy Peak, Owner of Clacton Pavilion, said: “We’re delighted Tendring District Council were as excited as we were about Clacton’s 150th Anniversary Wheel when we put the idea to them last year. It will be a huge tourist attraction for many years to come and marks a fantastic historical landmark for the town. The idea came to us after seeing a similar project in San Francisco to celebrate 150 years of the Golden Gate Bridge and if it is good enough for them then it is good enough for us.
I can’t wait to see it in situ within the next few weeks and to welcome our very first guests as and when the lockdown restrictions are lifted around the UK.”
Clacton Pavilion will be sending out free first ride offers to their Facebook and Instagram followers in the next few weeks. For more information @ClactonPavilion on these platforms.
Cllr Neil Stock OBE, Leader of Tendring District Council, said: “As part of our Back to Business agenda we want to support all of our local firms to be the best they can be, so, wherever we can, we will support innovative and exciting projects which aim to boost our economy.
“The leisure and tourism sector is no exception to this, and I am delighted to see Clacton Pavilion investing in this wheel as a way of attracting people to our Essex Sunshine Coast.”
