SINGAPORE — Some businesses at the Singapore Flyer have taken a battering as operations at the observation wheel remain suspended more than two months after a technical issue brought it to a halt.

This is one of the longest suspensions on record for the icon, which opened in 2008.

The Flyer came to a standstill on Nov 19 last year after its maintenance team detected a technical issue with a spoke cable. Spoke cables support the rim of the Flyer.

The Flyer remained out of bounds to riders when TODAY visited on Wednesday (Jan 22), although its retail terminal was still open to the public.

As recently as early 2018, another technical issue forced it to stop operations for a little over two months.

The Building and Construction Authority (BCA), which regulates amusement rides in Singapore, told TODAY on Thursday that investigations into the latest technical issue were still in progress.

“The ride will remain closed until the investigation is complete and the ride operator completes the necessary rectification works recommended by the professional engineer, if any, to the satisfaction of the BCA,” said its spokesperson.

It is unclear when the attraction would reopen, but a spokesperson for the Flyer said qualified professionals are helping it to find a suitable replacement for the affected cable.

PLUMMETING SALES

The stoppage has led to slower footfall at the Flyer, and some businesses told TODAY that sales have tumbled by 50 per cent or more.

Business at Indian restaurant Bhandari’s Saffron Dining and Event has dropped by 30 to 50 per cent, said manager Siti Zulaiha.

Travel groups are among the restaurant’s clientele. While the restaurant used to receive 500 to 600 tourists daily for lunch and dinner, it now gets 200 or so.

Ms Siti said tour operators still take tourists to the Flyer for pictures and a meal.

To sustain business, the restaurant has been taking small-group bookings, such as those for birthday celebrations. It also receives orders from Foodpanda, a food delivery application, said Ms Siti.

On how the Flyer is helping tenants, Ms Siti said the management would reduce rent by a “pretty significant” sum during the suspension. She declined to specify the extent of the reduction.

At sandwich chain Subway, business has also been sluggish.

Crew member Wendy Yen said the store previously earned about S$1,000 on a weekday and more on weekends. But its daily takings have fallen to between S$300 and S$500.

“It is very quiet here in the mornings and nights,” said Ms Yen, adding that the store now closes an hour early, at 9pm, instead of 10pm.

Manpower has also been trimmed: Two crew members, instead of three, run the store throughout the day.

The Flyer’s spokesperson acknowledged the slower footfall since operations were suspended.

“We understand that our tenants have been impacted by this and we are continually looking at ways we can render assistance to them,” the spokesperson said.

A LETDOWN FOR TOURISTS

Tourists said they were disappointed by news of the suspension.

Despite notices on the Flyer’s website and Facebook page, some visitors learnt about the stoppage only after they arrived at the attraction.

Ms Sherry Wang, 28, who has lived in Singapore for a decade, took her parents and in-laws — who were visiting from China — there on Wednesday.

“It’s a pity because they wanted to see the skyline and Marina Bay,” said the human resources officer.

Indian national Sakshi Patil, 38, had booked tickets in October last year for her family to ride the Flyer this month. She was given a refund.

“My husband has never sat on a giant wheel in our country… We wanted to do it in a foreign country, as it is safer,” said the housewife.

Other tourists, though, quickly found other options.

After learning about the suspension on Monday, Polish student Daria Zawadzka, 26, visited integrated resort Marina Bay Sands, where she had sweeping views of the Singapore skyline.

“So we’re not really disappointed,” she said.

Mr Roman Pylypaka, 25, a software engineer from Ireland, said: “There are much better things to see here. It’s just a ferris wheel, just bigger.”

Responding to TODAY’s queries, the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) said it was monitoring the situation at the Flyer.

Asked if the agency was concerned that the Flyer’s continued suspension would hurt tourism, Ms Jean Ng, STB’s executive director of attractions, entertainment and tourism concept development, said visitor arrivals continue to see good growth.

While the Flyer is a well-known attraction, Ms Ng said Singapore offers a range of experiences to suit various interests as well as a pipeline of new and refreshed offerings.

“Beyond our attractions, visitors can also enjoy parks and gardens, vibrant lifestyle districts, colourful multicultural experiences, and world-class hospitality,” she said.

SAFETY IS THE TOP PRIORITY

In the meantime, the Flyer said it has appointed a specialist professional engineer, and engaged other technical consultants and cable suppliers.

They are investigating the matter and providing advice on rectification work.

The Flyer’s spokesperson added that investigations and a preliminary test revealed some technical issues affecting a small section of the outer layer of a spoke cable.

The Flyer has 112 spoke cables. “Each cable is a unique assembly of a classic wire-rope core consisting of multiple helically twisted wires and layers of profiled, Z-shaped wires that interlock with one another,” the spokesperson said.

The Flyer is seeking a suitable replacement for the cable, although there is no immediate safety or structural concern, the spokesperson added.

“Safety is always our first and utmost priority. We seek the kind understanding and patience of our guests and partners, and sincerely apologise for the inconvenience,” said the Flyer’s spokesperson.