Developers Openwide International Ltd have announced exciting plans to develop a 250- meter family zip line attraction over Duke’s Dock in Liverpool. Openwide bring with them a wealth of industry experience and expertise, having previously developed and operated the hugely successful, world’s first pier to shore zip line in Bournemouth.
Over the past two years Openwide International ltd have been discussing and designing concepts and sharing ideas with key stakeholders, including the Canal & River Trust and Historic England. Pre-application discussions have been ongoing with planners at Liverpool City Council since December 2018.
Steve Cutbush Director at Openwide International advised, “A prolonged process of discussions and design has evolved a concept proposal that addresses the historic nature of the area and surrounding properties and aligns with the city’s vision to bring new life and purpose to this dock through recreation and leisure uses. A full planning submission will be made once final designs are completed and consultations complete and if granted we hope to start work with the construction in 2021 with a proposed opening in early 2022. The Duke’s Dock attraction is aimed at the family market and will be a fun experience for all ages, operating year-round. Running approximately 250 meters in length, over water and towards the Mersey, it will offer a new memory of both modern and historical Liverpool to visitors and local residents.”
Openwide International Ltd are experienced developers and operators of attractions in highly populated and historically important areas. They have a good breadth of experience of operating and developing visitor attractions, These include the Grade 2 listed pier in Cromer, North Norfolk and the regeneration of Bournemouth Pier Theatre into the dynamic family attraction that is RockReef indoor climbing adventure attraction. These developments have enabled Openwide International to develop and prove out operations to ensure that all stakeholders are fully engaged and historic integrity is fully respected within the design and daily operation of its projects
Steve continued, “The Dock Zipline will launch from a new tower, inspired by the local architecture of the Grade II listed Pump House and built within the waters of Dukes Dock itself in order to protect the historical integrity of the old dock workings. The tall, elegant tower will create an anchor point at the junction of the Strand and Gower Street. The ziplines will fly from the tower, over the docks towards the Mersey, offering exquisite new views across the docks and the Mersey itself.
“There are still some design refinements ongoing to finalise and discussions continue with local stakeholders and Liverpool City Council to ensure the perfect fit for all parties. Liverpool practice K2 Architects and planning consultants, Arup, have been engaged on the project from the outset due to their experience of working along Liverpool’s world-famous waterfront and their understanding of the local area and its historical setting. The design ethos is looking to provide a new link from the modern architecture of the M&S Bank Arena to the South, to the beautifully protected and regenerated dock buildings themselves.”