The founder of Zip World, which is preparing to launch the fastest urban zip line in the world in Liverpool, has spoken out about the economic impact the attraction could have on the city’s retail and hospitality sectors.

Zip World Liverpool, which will open in summer 2021, will travel from the top of St Johns Beacon and land at Central Library.

The 450ft high attraction will see two riders dispatched at a time in a sit-down style harness, travelling across the cityscape.

Zip World is creating 32 new jobs and investing over £5 million into the new Liverpool adventure attraction which it’s claimed will give a new lease of life to St Johns Beacon and the area immediately surrounding St Johns Shopping Centre.

Sean Taylor, the former Royal Marine who founded Zip World in 2013, says: “Our research indicates that the projected number of riders in the first year full of operation in Liverpool could be around 104,000.

“In common with our other successful sites, these people will all bring friends and family with them which we believe will be an additional 200,000 spectators.

“That is an incredible 300,000 visitors coming into Liverpool every year for the zip line. This will provide a huge economic boost to the city’s retail and hospitality businesses. They’re telling us that it is needed now more than ever.

“Furthermore, Zip World’s arrival in Liverpool will give a new lease of life to St Johns Beacon and St Johns Shopping Centre.

“We’ve been talking to retailers inside St Johns and in the wider city centre who are all positive about the impact the zip line will have.

“The global adventure tourism market was valued at $586.3bn in 2018. This shows the potential this project has to add huge economic value to the city and a much needed boost following the effects of COVID-19.

“This is an incredibly exciting prospect for Liverpool, it is an attraction that will again put the city on the international tourist map and we are really looking forward to delivering it.

“There is no city quite like Liverpool. We are honoured to be delivering our first adventure attraction outside of Wales in Liverpool. There is no city quite like it.”

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