21.01.2008

Lifts help at Liverpool opening

Twelve AFI-Uplift scissor lifts helped to throw the spotlight on Ringo Starr and Dave Stewart during the big opening ceremony to mark the launch of Liverpool as the European capital of culture on June 11th

The scissor lifts with working heights from 7.8 metres to 17.2 metres were used to carry lighting to illuminate the performers taking part in the free open air show, which was attended by over 40,000 people.
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One of the scissors at work

Some of the machines took centre stage themselves when they provided an unusual platform for performers including singers, poets and choristers to work from. The units were raised and lowered during the performances to add to the spectacle.

The units were supplied to event specialists Production Eye by AFI’s Liverpool depot, the machines were positioned around the historic St George’s Hall, with some being manoeuvred between the enormous columns at the entrance to the Hall.
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St Georges Hall during the show

Simon Barrington, production manager for the event, said: “The AFI scissor lifts were ideal for the lighting because they provided a clear line of sight between the lights and the areas being illuminated.”
In addition to the AFI machines the show employed two Spierings mobile tower cranes and a JLG telescopic boom lift from Hewden Instant Access.