Wheel of Birmingham

The second Birmingham Wheel

The entrance to the wheel, in 2005

The Wheel of Birmingham or Birmingham Wheel was a series of transportable Ferris wheel installations at Centenary Square in Birmingham, England. These have been landmarks in central Birmingham, visible from many parts of the city. The first opened on 6 November 2003,^[1] and its replacement opened on 21 October 2004,^[2] both being 60 metres (197 ft) tall.

A third wheel, the Birmingham Mail Wheel, operated from 18 January 2010 until 22 February 2010, and was also 60 m tall.^[3]

History

The first wheel, the Roue de Paris, had originally operated in Paris. When the Birmingham installation opened to the public on Thursday 6 November 2003, the commentary provided was the original French version describing the sights of Paris.^[4]

The following year, Roue de Paris moved to Exchange Square, Manchester, and a new wheel was erected at the Birmingham site.

This second wheel was operated by World Tourist Attractions and had commentary by BRMB DJ Phil Upton.^{[citation needed]} It had sealed carriages with air conditioning and heating, and a premium "VIP" car.^{[citation needed]}

On 5 September 2006, the second wheel closed after it was sold to an Australian company;^[5] it was then dismantled and transported to Australia.^{[citation needed]}

Gallery

• 
  Birmingham Wheel behind the Hall of Memory
• 
  Birmingham Wheel night view
• 
  Birmingham Wheel night view
• 
  Inside the wheel structure
• 
  The Birmingham Wheel from Cambrian Wharf
• 
  The Birmingham Wheel from Lozells
• 
  The Birmingham Wheel from Barr Beacon

References

1. "Brum's Big Wheel". BBC. 5 November 2003. Retrieved 6 September 2008.
2. "Brum's Big Wheel is back!". BBC. October 2004. Retrieved 6 September 2008.
3. "Events - Birmingham Mail Wheel". birmingham.gov.uk. Retrieved 18 May 2010.
4. "UK wheel offers views of Paris". BBC News. 2 December 2003. Retrieved 1 January 2021.
5. "Two hours' notice as wheel closes". BBC News. 5 September 2006. Retrieved 28 July 2008.

52°28′44.04″N 1°54′32.49″W