THE leader of the Conservative group has called on the i360 to ensure residents' views are taken into account when choosing a new sponsor.

Councillor Steve Bell, leader of the Brighton and Hove Conservatives, said that the choice of British Airways as a sponsor had attracted protest, given its involvement in assisting the Home Office with deportation flights.

Although Cllr Bell said that, as a private company, it will be up to Brighton i360 Ltd to find a new sponsor, he said: "With the previous sponsor having attracted the odd burst of protest activity from locals, the attraction might look for a sponsor more in line with the views and perspective of the residents of Brighton."

Following a Green councillor's recent call for a ban on domestic flights, Cllr Bell also suggested that airlines could be out of contention in the race to replace British Airways as a sponsor of the controversial attraction.

"With the creative spirit in the city, I'm sure many suggestions will come forward," he said.

Cllr Bell's comments come after British Airways announced it will cease its sponsorship of the observational tower in November this year, after five years of partnership.

The attraction is already courting new sponsorship partners, with a deadline for submissions set for the end of July.

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