BUSINESSES have shared their optimism following the opening of a Ferris wheel on Llandudno Pier.

The 69-foot wheel, which has been custom-made for the promenade to the tune of almost £1million, has attracted thousands of people since its opening at the end of August.

Pier owner Adam Williams said he hopes the attraction, which can carry 108 people - 18 gondolas with six people each - will improve the nightlife of the pier and increase footfall along the promenade.

Tourism in Llandudno has boomed over the summer following the lifting of travel restrictions, and hotel and restaurant owners said they believe the Ferris wheel provides another family activity that could continue to attract people over the coming years.

Brian Simpson, owner of The View, said: “Bringing this to Llandudno is a great development; the area is busier later than it was but it shuts at 10pm, so there are not just drunkards or idiots around as there normally would be.

“The kids have been so excited you couldn’t believe.

“I think it’s a good thing as we need tourism to keep the town going, which is clear if you look at how many shops have gone under in the last year.

“It is a good attraction that suits a seaside resort, and it brightens the place up.”

Geoff Lofthouse, managing director of The Imperial, said: “People not going to come to Llandudno because of the Ferris wheel but once they are here they’ll walk to the Promenade and have a go.

“I think [the Pier owner] has gone a great job and it is a very good piece of kit. It encourages people to go to the Pier and it is exceptionally good value for money.

“If they say, ‘come and ride this in Llandudno’, then it may get people talking.”

Alice Rodriguez, of the Empire Hotel, said: “Empire residents have absolutely loved it.

“Llandudno is the ‘Queen of resorts’, a family place,

“The wheel looks gorgeous when it is lit up; what’s not to love?

“I think it could encourage people to come back to Llandudno again, especially families, and a lot of people have been asking whether it will be permanent or not.

“Quite a few guests among older age group we have been on it too.”

Gill Hadwin, owner of The Seahorse, said: “The Ferris wheel may increase footfall, but business can’t improve more than it has for us because we have not had a free table since May.

“My concern is the infrastructure of the town can’t support the number of people that are coming for staycations. People come out and there is nowhere to dine, so they end up getting takeaways.

“Once staycation start to dwindle, I think the attraction could help to increase footfall.

“Tourism will get quieter and the attraction will help then, but I don’t expect it to change for a couple of years.”