Liverpool One Wheel Takes Its First Spin

Liverpool One’s giant big wheel opened to big queues and an excited crowd as they waited to get a bird’s eye view of the city and the waterfront from 80m (more than 200ft) up in the air.

The 360 tonne wheel, which has been constructed on top of a building on Chavasse Park, can fit up to 240 people at a time in its 40 gondolas.

The mammoth attraction was transported to the city on 11 trailers and took three weeks to build with a team of ten riggers working with a 72 tonne crane.

Edward Mellor from wheel operators The Mellors Group said: “This was a really challenging build for the team in that it is the first wheel in the UK to have been constructed on top of a building.”

He said Liverpool had outdone itself again and was competing with Las Vegas, the American gambling Mecca with roller coasters on top of casinos.

Chris Bliss, estate director at Liverpool One, said: “We are thrilled to be bringing the first wheel of its kind to the city."

One girl was excited, after waiting for more than an hour, to be among the first to take the 15-minute ride.

She said: “It was terrifying at the top when we started swinging in the wind but the view of the city was amazing.”

Trips cost £6 for adults and £4 for children. Advance bookings can be made at www.liverpool-one.com

Organisers say the wheel, which will stay open until the end of January, stands 20m (65.6ft) higher than its Manchester equivalent.

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