Is losing a big chunk of Alexandra Gardens to a large Ferris Wheel worth 50 pence per Windsor resident?
We heard this week at Full Council that the Ferris Wheel generated £40,000 income or RBWM but what was the net outcome?
There was no clarity on costs but it is fair to assume £10k for grass relaying which was then immediately covered over for the ice rink! We can assume £10k in electricity costs, possibly more. So £40k gross income becomes nearer £20k net income.
Turns out, new information provided 3 hours after posting blog, by Cllrs involved offered more clarity. The £40k was net profit with other costs being met by the contractor.
With 35,000 residents in Windsor, having the Ferris Wheel generated around 50p per resident in 2024… so that should now be £1 per resident
The question we need to ask ourselves is the loss of a huge part of Alexandra Gardens’ amenity space for the Ferris Wheel worth the £20k, £40 or even £60k income it generates?
I’ve created a poll on our I Love Windsor Community FB Group.
Please vote…
https://www.facebook.com/groups/lovewindsor/permalink/8642096512569067
I’ll add the results below as they come in and will share with relevant councillors.
After 1 hour over 130 people had voted… this is obviously a topic that Windsor people care about.
After 9 days…
10 hours in and 424 people have cast their vote…
My own opinion… £40k is not going to put any real kind of dent into the £200,000,000 debt RBWM has created for itself and for me, the mental health benefits of not having the wheel and associated mechanics taking up Alexandra Gardens amenity space would be preferable.
Thank you.
Jon Davey
Community Champion
Assumptions are incorrect. £40k is in addition to electricity/other costs.
I’d suggest that Cllrs ensure a clearer response if that is the case.
e) Ian Haggart of Clewer and Dedworth East ward will ask the following question of Councillor Douglas: Cabinet Member for Communities and Leisure.
The 2024/25 budget included £40,000 income from the Ferris Wheel that was operated in Alexandra Gardens for six months.
Please quantify the outcome of the quoted benefits, including a financial statement: Revenue, Costs incurred (contractor and RBWM) and net Profit for RBWM; and the increased dwell time and money spent locally.
Written Response:
RBWM charged £40,000 ground rent for use of the space in Alexandra Gardens. Additional costs like water and electricity are still being finalised. We have metrics for footfall from the Riverside area in Windsor which show a consistent pattern of increases over last year.
£40k is still an insignificant sum, in my opinion, for the mental health benefits lost by the negative sensory impact of these intrusions into public amenity space.
Thank you for your comments regarding my public question for Council, the public answer and follow up question. Neither of the Council responses provided any financial details. If this detail was available, why was it not provided for a public question, please?
Every time I passed by, it seemed like a complete waste of time—there were only a few people on it, if any. That entire corner feels like a tourist trap targeting those who don’t have English as their first language. I’ve even seen people ask if they take euros and then be charged double. On top of that, the price to ride it is already extortionate.
So your options are – I love to ride it or I don’t give a monkey’s! Doesn’t really give us useful info.
I would not go on the wheel (but maybe I will take my grandchildren on), but wonder how significantly it contributes to Windsor as a visitor attraction? This could support other facilities to help local shops & businesses.
I don’t believe people come to Windsor to ride on a Ferris Wheel! There are many towns that have got a wheel. But NO other town has a Castle with such Royal connections… enjoying the park is what residents want as shown by their voting… and that should be respected.