MORE versions of the i360 could appear around the globe, the architect of the 170m tourist attraction has told The Argus.

David Marks said in an exclusive interview he had already been approached about launching versions of the £46 million tower elsewhere in the world since it opened a year ago and that it was “inevitable” it would be imitated in other countries.

Mr Marks said he and co-creator Julia Barfield would want to be involved with other versions to ensure quality control, having seen imitators of varying quality and success of their London Eye.

But he said replica i360s would not be appearing soon with the team focused on the original, which celebrated its first anniversary on Friday, for the next five years.

And while other i360s may begin appearing on foreign shores, Brighton was likely to remain the only place in the UK to have one.

Mr Marks said: “It’s fair to say we have had some enquiries. They are all very much at an early stage and I wouldn’t say any of them are close to realisation at this point.

“But in a way I think it will be inevitable. It happened with the London Eye.

“Once people see something that is really good they do want to imitate it or repeat it or have one in their city.”

Marks Barfield entered a competition in 1993 to commemorate the millennium with a new London landmark with designs for a huge Ferris wheel design.

No winning entry was selected but the married couple decided to build their design which opened on the South Bank in 1999.

The design was then imitated around the world including on Brighton’s seafront.

Mr Marks said: “Although we weren’t involved in any repeat London Eyes, we probably will be with the i360, we will just have to wait and see.

“We are not actively looking for other attractions to build. Our focus is very much on Brighton, certainly for the next five years.

“It’s fair to say that a lot of the London Eye repeats have not been successful, either technically or commercially.

“I’m not saying that was because we weren’t involved but they obviously didn’t get it right.

“I think with an i360, if we were involved we have quite a lot of experience now with the London Eye behind us but also with the i360. We certainly wouldn’t want somebody to put up a poor imitation of one that would reflect badly on us. I would hope that we would be involved in any other ones that are serious around the world. But we’re not going to build one in Hastings. The i360 will be unique to the UK.”

lThe Mayor of Brighton and Hove Mo Marsh, led a toast to the first anniversary of the i360, wishing the attraction “many, many more years to come”.

The speech was made at a party in the i360 beachfront event spaces and was attended by some 150 people including city councillors, senior members of the council administration, funders, partners and members of the project’s design and construction team.

Councillor Marsh said: “Tourism is really important to the economy of Brighton and Hove and British Airways i360 is bringing visitors from all over the world. It’s unique – just like our city.

“In the first year of operations you have given 39,000 free tickets to the city’s children, one for every child in a state school, and that makes me very proud indeed.”

Council chief executive Geoff Raw said: “It is a beacon for Brighton and a real positive statement of confidence that we are a place which continues to try and get international profile and bring investment.”