London Eye given eviction notice.

[rico]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/4564115.stm

1500% increase in land rent...

It's obviously sensationalist reporting at its best... but still...

[jolley]

It was only supposed to be there for a few years anyway. Sounds like someone is trying to make a bit of extra money, now that it has permission to stay and has become quite a landmark.

[speedy_thrills]

jolley said:

It was only supposed to be there for a few years anyway. Sounds like someone is trying to make a bit of extra money, now that it has permission to stay and has become quite a landmark.

I went on a school trip when it first opened (I was living in the west of Ireland). I thought it was brilliant, could have spent all day! Alas I went to see the dome as well, what a waste of time and money that was (Spent 4 hours and was bored after one).

[ferg]

I've been on the 'Eye' three times and would go again, last time we were spotting the new Wembley and Ashburton Grove.

I took the family to the Dome as well and we really enjoyed it. The show in the centre was breathtaking with the guys on stilts on bungy ropes dropping from the roof etc. Funnily enough the only bit I thought was no good was the 'Human Body' section which was the bit the media had been going on and on about before we went...

[alexkp]

Oh FFS. The London Eye is a fantastic thing that should remain permanently. It is a landmark and something to be proud of.

Once again Britain shots itself in the foot.

[FrenchTVR]

Typical greed really!

Originally the Eye was supposed to operate for five years, which is probably what the lease on the land was agreed for.

It will be a shame if it does go, have only been on it once but it's quite spectacular.

[JonRB]

I seem to recall that the Eiffel Tower was also just a temporary short-term structure.

Edit: I wonder if they can slap a Compulsory Purchase Order on the land in dispute?

>> Edited by JonRB on Friday 20th May 09:28

[pdV6]

Funny you should mention the Eiffel Tower... I always thought that the Eye made a much more fitting tribute to the turn of the millenium than some cr4ppy old tent on a bit of waste ground. AND it generates revenue rather than soaking up taxpayer's hard-earned.

Its become a bona fide London (nay UK) landmark that Brits and tourists alike flock to see, in exactly the same way as the 'Tower in Paris.

Long may it stay.

[Tuna]

rico said:

It's obviously sensationalist reporting at its best... but still...

This is called negotiation by media.

A. Requests more money
B. Goes to the papers "It's an outrage!"
Public demands something to be done
A. Requests slightly less money
B. Accepts.

[FourWheelDrift]

Or it's a typical political scam, make something worse than it is, come up with the solution and save the day and everyone loves you. Just what's needed after a politcal savaging in the recent election.

Anyone remember Jim Hackers "Save the British Sausage" campaign in Yes Minister. Maybe she's gunning for the Labout leadership as well.

[Bob the Planner]

The BBC said said:

Its landlords, the South Bank Centre (SBC), said they are not getting enough rent from the land that holds part of the wheel's supporting structure.

I reckon that they wouldn't not be able to get very much rent from that location for any other attraction. £1M is a disgrace - I reckon its time to find a new site and transport it a few hundred yards down the river.

[FourWheelDrift]

Bob the Planner said:

The BBC said said: Its landlords, the South Bank Centre (SBC), said they are not getting enough rent from the land that holds part of the wheel's supporting structure. I reckon that they wouldn't not be able to get very much rent from that location for any other attraction. £1M is a disgrace - I reckon its time to find a new site and transport it a few hundred yards down the river.

Outside here maybe?

[pdV6]

FourWheelDrift said:

Outside here maybe?

Nah - here:

[vixpy1]

pdV6 said:

FourWheelDrift said: Outside here maybe? Nah - here:

Ah MI6 building.. Or is it

[stumartin]

FourWheelDrift said:

Outside here maybe?

In PLACE of there maybe. Shitty, dirty, horrible, socialist infested manufacturer of gloom and doom that it is.

[HiRich]

SBC Chairman is "new labour" peer Lord Hollick.

I reckon the Eye's phonelines will have been swamped today with calls from landowners from Tower Bridge to Putney Bridge, offering more reasonable terms.