Liverpool waterfront set to welcome new big wheel

Liverpool is set to welcome a new big wheel on the city's waterfront.

As the current observation wheel in Liverpool One prepares for it's final ride on Sunday, a new wheel is being constructed at King's Dock.

The new 60 metre high tourist attraction will be positioned on the piazza outside the ECHO arena.

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 new wheel will begin operating a week after the current wheel closes, and a VIP launch event has been planned to coincide with Valentine’s Day weekend.

Chief executive of ACC Liverpool, Bob Prattey, 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 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."

Liverpool One estate director, Chris Bliss, said: "The Liverpool One wheel has been a great 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.

"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."

Great City Attractions, which will operate the waterfront wheel, has run similar attractions in Belfast, Brisbane, London, Paris, Perth and Singapore. The wheel has planning permission to operate for 12 months.

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