What a "wheely" good view!
28 Jan 10
LIVERPOOL'S newest big wheel will be gracing the skyline just days after the city's current observation wheel has its final ride.
As the temporary big wheel at Liverpool ONE enters its final weeks of operation, a new wheel is being constructed on the city’s waterfront which could be in place for a year.
The new 60 metre high tourist attraction will be positioned on the piazza outside the Arena and Convention Centre Liverpool - just a stone's throw from the Albert Dock.
It includes 42 fully enclosed and air-conditioned capsules and will offer riders spectacular views of the city including the River Mersey, the Welsh mountains and World Heritage Site waterfront. It also offers a VIP luxury capsule with leather seating, DVD player and a champagne fridge.
The final rides on the Liverpool ONE wheel will take place on January 31st and the new wheel is expected to begin operating about a week later, on the weekend of February 6/7.
There will then be a VIP launch event to coincide with St Valentine's Day weekend.
Bob Prattey, chief executive of ACC Liverpool, said: "Liverpool One's big wheel proved a huge hit for the city over the festive season. In terms of tourism, it is clearly a winning attraction and has brought thousands of extra visitors into the city centre.
"London, Paris and Manchester have all benefited from having similar attractions but it's not many cities which can boast two giant wheels, one after the other, on different sites.
"The big wheel next to ACC Liverpool will be run by Great City Attractions and the capsules are fully enclosed with heating and air conditioning, as well as the opportunity for commentary.
"The wheel will be an attraction in its own right, providing a boost to day visitors to the Albert Dock, and serving as an added bonus to the thousands of people attending events at the Echo Arena and BT Convention Centre every week.
"Having it next to ACC Liverpool supports the city's long term strategic objective to make the most of one of Liverpool's most important assets, its waterfront, and to drive tourism by creating a distinct sense of place along the banks of the River Mersey.
"It is encouraging to see private sector partners in Liverpool working together to provide complementary - rather than competitive - attractions to help drive tourism in the city."
Chris Bliss, Estate Director at Liverpool ONE, said: "The Liverpool ONE Wheel has been a great attraction for Liverpool ONE and the city as a whole. The Mellors Group who operated the wheel did a fantastic job of creating a world-class attraction. The feedback from visitors has been excellent and we've been overwhelmed by the number of people who have commented on social networking sites and posted their pictures to FLIKR.
"It was always planned to be a temporary fixture due to the city council's plans for a wheel in February 2010. We are delighted with the support from the people of Liverpool and beyond who have really embraced it, and are sure the waterfront wheel will have the same success."
Jeremy Roberts, chairman of the Albert Dock Tenants' Business Association, said: "What a fantastic addition to the waterfront. This is going to be a landmark attraction overlooking the Albert Dock that will give visitors a unique view of the city. The Albert Dock Tenants' Business Association is looking forward to working in partnership with the Arena and Convention Centre to continue to add value to the overall waterfront visitor experience."
Great City Attractions, which will operate the waterfront wheel, has run similar attractions in Belfast, Brisbane, Brussels, Copenhagen, Glasgow, London, Manchester, Paris, Perth, Sheffield, Singapore, Windsor and York. The waterfront wheel has planning permission to operate for 12 months.
For more details visit www.greatcityattractions.com or www.worldtouristattractions.co.uk