Littlehampton wheel gets glowing reviews, seafront café celebrates accolade

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The observation wheel on Littlehampton seafront has had glowing reviews in the first week of it being open.

The temporary attraction, erected in the coach park in Banjo Road, welcomed its first customers on Friday, following a similar successful venture in Worthing.

Aaron Fox and his family were first to go on the wheel.

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He said it had ‘put Littlehampton on the map’: “It was amazing, the views are stunning from all around the coast. It is a little higher up than expected when you reach the top, they do swing a bit which makes it very funny.

Littlehampton observation wheel. Pic Steve Robards SR2007281 SUS-200728-151102001Littlehampton observation wheel. Pic Steve Robards SR2007281 SUS-200728-151102001
Littlehampton observation wheel. Pic Steve Robards SR2007281 SUS-200728-151102001

“We would highly recommend it, we spent the entire day in Littlehampton.

“We wouldn’t normally, however we came to go on the wheel. With a family of four, in total £15 was really cheap.

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“We visited Harbour Park, went to the beach, got ice cream, and had time for blackberry picking.”

Amanda Worne, chairman of Arun District Council – which gave the go ahead to plans for the wheel – attended the grand opening with other dignitaries.

East Beach Café in Sea Road, Littlehampton, has been named as one of best seaside restaurants by The Times. Pic Steve RobardsEast Beach Café in Sea Road, Littlehampton, has been named as one of best seaside restaurants by The Times. Pic Steve Robards
East Beach Café in Sea Road, Littlehampton, has been named as one of best seaside restaurants by The Times. Pic Steve Robards

The wheelchair-user said: “The weather was beautiful and after the opening we all got to go on the wheel to experience the breathtaking views that spread beneath us. There was a special pod for wheelchairs which was really easy to use and meant the wheel was accessible for all.”

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George Ashcroft, from Perfect Illusion UK aerial photography, used a drone to capture the wheel in all its glory. The 24-year-old, of Peregrine Road, Littlehampton, said: “The views were spectacular and you could see for miles, and it was also interesting to see the wind farm from a different perspective. The people I saw coming from the ride had a brilliant time.” The 35-metre tall wheel has been provided by The Giant Wheel Company and will only be in place for 28 days. The wheel is a boost for the seafront after being voted the seventh-worst seaside town in a readers poll by Which?, just above Bognor Regis.

But there was some positive news.

The team at East Beach Café in Sea Road, Littlehampton, had reason to celebrate after being picked as one of the top places to eat by the sea by The Times on Saturday.

Regarding the Which? poll, cafe owner Jane Wood said: “I suppose you get more people replying to these things from bigger towns, whereas Littlehampton is a completely different experience.”