[UPDATED] Liverpool to get an observation wheel, and another in Liverpool One
St John's Tower by tim.spillman via Flickr
Update: The wheel in Liverpool One is now finished and taking passengers. The Echo article includes a video, and there are pricing details on Liverpool.com.
The Liverpool Echo is reporting on two proposed ferris wheel projects for Liverpool over the next 18 months. The first proposal was for an ‘observation wheel’, similar in concept to the London Eye, which would give a five minute ride lifting viewers high over the banks of the Mersey near the Echo Arena. This would be in place for about 12 months, and might be open for business as soon as next February. The second wheel seems to be more temporary, being sited in Liverpool One for the festive season. Both wheels hope to bring increased numbers of tourists to the city centre and across the Strand to the river front.
Ferris wheels are almost classic waterfront landscape features. In addition to the London Eye, Blackpool has a wheel on its Central Pier (built 1990), New Brighton had one as part of its fun fair, still in existence in the 1960s. Coney Island also has its Wonder Wheel.
So are Liverpool’s proposed wheels a great way to bring extra shoppers to the city centre in these straitened times? Or a me-too Liverpool Eye? Or a throwback to the seaside funfairs of old? How would this addition to the skyline measure up against the new museum and the Mann Island developments? Comment is free…
