The Wheel of Liverpool has returned to its home with visitors expected to be able to start riding on it this summer.
The popular landmark which had been closed from late 2019 was dismantled from its place on Keel Wharf close to the Royal Albert Dock, M&S Bank Arena and ACC Liverpool in October 2020.
The 60m high Ferris wheel was sent to the manufacturer in Europe to be fully refurbished by Freij World Attractions who operates the wheel.
Now a team of workers led by Freij project manager Tanya Morris are busy assembling the wheel so it can once more take its place in Liverpool's iconic skyline.
Tanya told the ECHO: "We have a team of local electricians, carpenters and engineers working to safely assemble the Wheel of Liverpool once more. There are still inspections to be done to make sure we comply with the Health and Safety Executive. We are moving forward but realistically the wheel won't be open to the public until July.
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"We've made a big investment into refurbishing the wheel but we've had to contend with a lot of unforeseen obstacles. We were awarded the tender for the wheel in November 2019 but it was a slow process and the contract was only signed in February 2020.
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"During this time, we were advised by the HSE that the wheel needed a full refurbishment, so we closed the wheel. We were scheduled to move the wheel out but then of course in March the country locked down.
"We were finally able to start dismantling the wheel in October last year and send it to the manufacturer in Holland to be fully stripped down and refurbished with new lighting and cosmetics."
The Wheel of Liverpool has 42 viewing pods and has been operating at the waterfront since 2010.
It closed briefly in 2012 after its original operator, Great City Attractions, went into administration but is now run by Freij World Attractions.
Tanya added: "The wheel has been up for 10 years so we were only happy to comply with the HSE. As I say we've made a big investment and we hope the wheel will last another 20 years.
"There was a delay in getting the wheel back to the UK with Brexit and engineers having to quarantine but now everything is back on track and we can't wait to open The Wheel of Liverpool once more."
