THE zip wire on which London Mayor Boris Johnson famously got stuck is coming to Liverpool this weekend - promising an "unforgettable minute of joy".
And shoppers in Church Street can enjoy the thrill of people swooping past their heads faster than a seagull with a Greggs pasty in its beak.
The 800ft long “Liverpool Wire” hit the headlines in a previous life at the 2012 London Olympics when BJ, the blond bombshell of London town took to it at Victoria Park to celebrate Team GB's first gold medal victory. Waving his Union Jacks he whooshed off, but rapidly lost momentum and came to a halt, dangling over a crowd of onlookers readily snapping his discomfort on mobile phones.
Organisers vow that won't happen here. However there has been no word from Mayor Joe Anderson's office to say if he is up for repeating the stunt. Lord Mayor Erica Kemp is more game and is giving the wire a whirl.
The giant attraction will see thrill seekers ascend a 115 foot station on Church Street above the Lloyds TSB before high-flying at 40mph over thousands of shoppers before coming to a stop at Forever 21.
“ The ‘Liverpool Wire’ will deposit breathless users about a minute later, after travelling more than the length of the premier league pitches at Goodison Park and Anfield combined,” it says here.
Delivered by events company, the Mellors Group, it is hoped the Liverpool Wire will also provide a major boost to local charities with price discounts for fundraisers.
Tracey Crosbie, events manager, said: ‘’No city centre in the country will have seen anything like this before. It’s going to be an amazing attraction for Liverpool and will add a real injection of excitement to our high street. We also hope the Liverpool Wire helps to raise thousands for local charities and give fundraisers an unforgettable minute of joy.’’
*The Liverpool Wire will be priced at £15 for users and £10 for charity fundraisers. There will also be a discount for bookings made on-line. The giant ride will launch on Saturday, August 9 and end on Saturday, September 6. It will be open from 10am to 6pm Sunday to Thursday and 10am until 8pm on Friday and Saturday.
