Owners used words like 'slow', 'drip and drab' and 'pathetic' to describe the number of visitors to the grounds that surround the $240-million attraction which opened four months ago.

The businesses had hoped to capitalise on the promise of a torrent of riders on the 165-m observation wheel, the world's largest.

Instead, they told The Straits Times the area around the Flyer is a ghost town on weekdays. While Saturdays and Sundays are better, businesses say they cannot survive on just the weekend crowd.

'Sometimes there is hardly a customer coming into my shop on weekdays,' said Ms May Auyong, manager of Sunglass Hut. 'And if they do, they often browse and then rush off because their coach is waiting or they have tickets for the ride,' she said.

The businesses complained that tour groups are herded from their buses to the ride and then back to the buses again, without stopping at the shops. Meanwhile, Singaporeans told The Straits Times that they are bypassing the shops because prices are too steep.

Singapore Flyer officials said the attraction is on target to draw 2.5 million people this year.

General manager Steven Yeo declined to give exact numbers but said most visitors come on weekday evenings, weekends and public holidays.

The Straits Times visited the Flyer grounds thrice this week: Tuesday, Wednesday and Sunday.

During the weekdays, there were only a handful of visitors. The shops and restaurants were largely empty, save for the fastfood and seafood outlets.

While there were several busloads of people on Sunday, most avoided the restaurants and shops.

Retiree Madam Loh Ah Kiew, 78, was there with five friends, all in their 70s.

'We wanted to have coffee first, but one cup at one of the cafes costs almost $14. Too expensive for us senior citizens,' she said.

A total of 20 businesses occupy the space around the Flyer. Some, who did not want to be identified, told The Straits Times they are about two months behind in rent.

Others, like Mr Abdul Naseer, 49, are luckier: they have managed to break even.

The owner of Shalimar Palace, the only Indian restaurant at the grounds, said: 'Hardly anyone comes during the weekdays so there is no way we can see profits rolling in anytime soon.'

Mr Naseer is banking on September, when Formula One racing arrives, and later, on the integrated resorts.

'In the meantime, we must make sure we have the stamina to sustain ourselves till then.'

The general manager of City Tours, Ms Wendy Leong, said the Flyer is fast becoming a tourist must-see sight. But businesses there must market themselves aggressively to pull in patrons.

'Give discounts, special offers and it will definitely help ring the till,' she said.

juditht@sph.com.sg