The Brighton Wheel is a step closer to returning to the seafront after Brighton & Hove City Council approved a new 25-year lease for its former site on Madeira Drive.
The council’s cabinet agreed the lease on Thursday 17 September 2026. The agreement will be made with a new company established by the existing tenant, which already operates attractions at the site.
The decision does not mean construction can begin immediately. The scheme remains subject to planning permission, statutory consents, the detailed lease terms and other legal requirements.
What has been approved?
Cabinet members authorised the council to grant a 25-year lease for the reinstatement and operation of the Brighton Wheel. Senior officers have also been given authority to complete the legal agreements needed to move the project forward.
The attraction previously operated on Madeira Drive from 2011 until 2016. Earlier plans presented to the council said the current Brighton Zip attraction would continue operating alongside the proposed wheel.
What happens next?
The operator must now progress through the planning and consent process. That stage will determine the detailed design, operation and timetable, so an opening date is not yet confirmed by the council’s decision.
If the remaining permissions are secured, the wheel would restore a familiar landmark to Brighton’s seafront and add another year-round visitor attraction close to the Palace Pier and Sea Lanes area.
Official information
The full decision is available on the Brighton & Hove City Council democracy website. The council’s Cabinet agenda and supporting papers provide further background to the proposal.
Featured image: Brighton seafront and West Pier. Photo by Anthony Wade on Unsplash.
Brighton Locals will follow the planning process and report confirmed opening details when they are announced.
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