You know summer is on its way when the English Riviera Wheel arrives in town.

Due to arrive in Torquay on Tuesday after the Bank Holiday weekend on a series of specially adapted trailers, the return of this iconic summer attraction is perfectly timed as we head towards step two of the roadmap out of lockdown.

The installation of the wheel will take about one week and will open to the public from Monday 12 April until the end of the summer season. 

This will be the ninth year that the very 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”.

To ensure the safety of all visitors, employees and the wider community 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.

Tickets will be competitively priced to enable all to enjoy.

Further information can be found via: www.englishrivierawheel.co.uk

Anderton & Rowland Fun Fair will also be returning on Paignton Green from Monday 12 April to Wednesday 28 April. The fun fair will be COVID-19 compliant and have clear signage explaining their COVID-19 rules.

Visitors are asked to take note of all signage and guidance to protect themselves and others whilst visiting the attractions.