The London Eye granted Lifetime Extension by Lambeth Council

Following approval from Lambeth Council’s Planning Applications Committee, the lastminute.com London Eye has been granted a permanent position on London’s skyline.

When first installed in South Bank on the eve of the Millennium, the London Eye was granted a five-year permission, which was subsequently extended until 2028.

At its meeting on 7 May, Lambeth Council’s Planning Applications Committee unanimously agreed with the recommendation to give permanent status to the London Eye.

The recommendation was in response to the planning submission made by Merlin Entertainments, the operator of the London Eye, and which was supported by South Bank Employers’ Group, South Bank Business Improvement District, and many others - including the local ward councillors.

South Bank Employers' Group works closely with Merlin on the associated Section 106 agreement, a mechanism which sees 1% of the Eye’s annual turnover invested locally to benefit the area.

SBEG, which also delivers the South Bank BID, is the delivery agent for the Section 106 revenues; this joint funding mechanism results in a comprehensive and partnership led approach to keeping the area safe, secure, green, clean, and vibrant. The funding supports South Bank Patrol and South Bank Clean Team, both of which are vital services for the neighbourhood.

Through the BID mechanism, SBEG also worked closely with Merlin in establishing London’s Tourism Recovery Board and in creating Let’s Do London, London’s most successful ever tourism campaign, which created in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on London’s tourism economy.

Welcoming 3.5 million visitors a year, the London Eye has become one of London’s most visited and loved tourist attractions: South Bank Employers’ Group welcome this decision and look forward to working with Merlin and other local partners in the continued success of the Eye, and the investment of Section 106 revenues to benefit the South Bank area and those that work, visit, live and study here.