Brighton Wheel to close ahead of i360 viewing tower opening

Brighton Wheel opened in 2011

Brighton Wheel will close after the city council rejected a proposal for it to remain open for another six years.

Brighton and Hove City Council decided the attraction was "detrimental" to the nearby historic buildings and so would not stay open beyond May 2016.

The owners of the wheel, which opened in 2011, said they will appeal.

Brighton Wheel staff have been "guaranteed" an interview from the owners of a new attraction - the i360 viewing tower - which is being built.

The firm had previously said it had wanted the wheel to close before the tower opens.

Eleanor Harris, chief executive of the i360, said: "We will guarantee to interview all the Brighton Wheel staff when it closes next year."

The city council said it will not renew the lease for the site where the wheel is based.