More than 3,000 people have already jumped aboard the DY Eye, making this one of the most popular attractions ever hosted in Dudley town centre.

The 35m high giant observation wheel has been in town since March 12th and is the largest attraction of its type to come to the Black Country. It will remain in Stone Street Square until April 10th, the last day of the Easter holidays. 

Cllr Pete Lowe, leader of the council said: “Some London-based journalists have knocked Dudley and the Black Country for having a big wheel. I hope the hard facts about how many people have already gone on the Eye in just one week and before the Easter holidays have even started, will have them in a spin. 

“Both council staff and local business people are conducting surveys to ask people who have gone on the wheel what they think. It is a work in progress, but so far the feedback has been glowing, with people enjoying the views and heritage that we have to offer. 

“In fact I would like to thank the naysayers down south for helping us. Thanks to them we have had people coming from far afield, including a number from Somerset and Devon, to see what all the fuss is about…and they have given us nothing but praise.” 

Harry Jones, of Harry Jones Company who are operating the wheel, added: 

“We have put fairground attractions all round the country, but we rarely get views as good as the one from the top of this one. On a clear day you can see for miles and spot various different hill ranges, which is beautiful. 

"But what is new for us is having a close-up view of a castle, and of course that is what people are talking about the most.” 

The giant observation wheel is open seven-days a week, closing only on Easter Sunday. During the Easter holidays it will be open from 10am - 8pm.  This will give riders the chance to see the new town centre evening coloured lights. 

The eye is being delivered in association with Midlands Air Ambulance Charity and organised by the Dudley Business Group (a business-led group that works to attract people to Dudley), Dudley Market Traders Ltd and Dudley Council. 

As well as the wheel, the partnership behind the project is organising fun events to take place in the town centre throughout the month. These include a giant Easter egg trail, the chance to clamber into a Midland Air Ambulance Charity helicopter, The Great Dudley Bake-Off event in ‘bottom church’ on Saturday April 9 and a free wedding dress fashion show, in the Churchill Shopping Centre, also on Saturday April 9. 

A full programme of the events can be seen at dudley.gov.uk/dyevents.