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Ainscough Crane Hire’s Preston depot has worked with electrical contractor IllumiDex UK Ltd. to lift an 18 metre tall LED conical Christmas tree into place in Southport town centre.
Southport’s tree is well-known for its impressive interactive interior, which includes a walking platform for visitors to view the structure from within. Work on the installation took place over one night, with the team operating until the early hours of the morning.
Located by famed arts centre, The Atkinson, the tree’s impressive decoration will also allow for a number of light shows to take place this festive season. Australian singer and reality TV star Peter Andre took part in the switch-on, which was held on Sunday, November 17th.
The contract lift team from Preston Depot utilised a 40t Liebherr mobile crane to layer the tree’s various components and install the completed tree, which could then be fitted for lighting by Illumidex.
Due to the nature of the work, Ainscough’s team had to overcome several challenges, including issues around visibility created by working at night. Lifting within a public area also necessitated a stringent safety approach, in line with Ainscough’s robust ‘Make the Safe Choice’ health and safety policy.
Ainscough has won the contract with IllumiDex UK Ltd. for the next three Christmases and will participate in the removal of the decorations in January.
Ainscough Contract Lift Manager, Karl Dawson, said: “Southport town centre attracts many visitors for its famed Christmas decorations and we are incredibly proud to have helped facilitate their installation this year, creating a winter wonderland for the local community.”
