BB FANS

Thursday, 19 May, 2005
BBC

The London Eye could close down after being served an eviction notice after a £1m rent demand - an increase of more than 1500%.
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.

If the rent is not paid they say the Eye will have to be removed in a month.

None of the parties wished to comment but said negotiations are taking place in the hope of reaching a settlement.

According to a document seen by Kate Hoey, MP for Vauxhall, SBC sent out the eviction notice after issuing a demand for the increased rent.

She told BBC London on Thursday: "I find it quite outrageous that the South Bank Centre has now turned around and is trying to be like a greedy developer.

"It will not go down very well with people in my area and Londoners and the country as a whole."

The 450-foot wheel, which is operated by British Airways, is one of London's top tourist attractions.

It's a bit of a cheeky demand considering that if it wasn't for the London Eye they wouldn't be getting any rent for that piece of land at all!

Well I hope it's still there in August, I've bought tickets

They might take it down with you in it , That would be really bad luck...

I've been on the London Eye ...nice ride

30 minutes of pure, smooth pleasure, eh...?

yeah but they made me share my box with somebody else so I wasn't too happy

I'd never share my box esp if it was wine

I hate sharing a box, especially if I have to go in after someone else

actually I think its called a pod. Who started all this

Wasn't me ...wheres my glass

I loved the London eye when I went on it and I would really like to do it in the dark and see all the lights. That would be great. Can you go on it at night?

Is anyone else thinking what I am thinking