Paternoster Lift. Sheffield University's Arts Tower.

[area 51]

I wonder if there has been many accidents,i would like the chance to do the full circle in it before it finally gets closed down.Limb loss looks a possibility on it if you get your timing wrong.

[Baron99]

I wonder if there has been many accidents,i would like the chance to do the full circle in it before it finally gets closed down.Limb loss looks a possibility on it if you get your timing wrong.

 

I wouldn't mind having a go on it as well.

 

Maybe out of term time the Uni could allow limited access for a small charge so the general public could have a ride up to the top. I'd like to see the views from up the top of the tower.

[Victor Meldrew]

I wouldn't mind having a go on it as well.

 

Maybe out of term time the Uni could allow limited access for a small charge so the general public could have a ride up to the top. I'd like to see the views from up the top of the tower.

 

Not sure access is really a problem. Nobody challenged me when I went up on it to take some photos from the top floor.

[Lex Luthor]

These should be banned in my opinion.

[scargill]

These should be banned in my opinion.

 

Along with escalators!

[Bargepole23]

These should be banned in my opinion.

 

Why? Are there lots of injuries on the Arts Tower lift?

[Lucy-Lastic]

I wouldn't mind having a go on it as well.

 

Maybe out of term time the Uni could allow limited access for a small charge so the general public could have a ride up to the top. I'd like to see the views from up the top of the tower.

 

It's a public access building ...

[Jeffrey Shaw]

Along with escalators!

Well, they might be taking the first step...

[AY1975]

It's a public access building ...

 

Well, yes and no. I suspect that you're not officially supposed to go in there if you're not a student or member or university staff, or there on any other legitimate business (such as attending a public meeting there).

 

In practice, though, as long as you behave yourself, look confident, and look as if you know where you're going, you can usually get away with sneaking in and taking a ride on it, especially if you go at a fairly quiet time when it's still in operation but there aren't many students or staff about (such as between 4 and 6pm on a Friday - I think it stops running at 6pm each day and the building is probably closed at weekends).

 

Paternoster lifts are still quite common in some countries in mainland Europe, especially in Germany, but they tend to be in buildings where access is restricted. I believe that there is a department store in Berne, Switzerland, that still has one open for public use, though.

 

Maybe the university should do tours of it, including a look behind the scenes at the engine room, for the annual heritage buildings open weekend in September. I guess the tours would have to be pre-booked and every visitor would have to be closely supervised.

[RootsBooster]

Well, yes and no. I suspect that you're not officially supposed to go in there if you're not a student or member or university staff, or there on any other legitimate business (such as attending a public meeting there).

 

In practice, though, as long as you behave yourself, look confident, and look as if you know where you're going, you can usually get away with sneaking in and taking a ride on it, especially if you go at a fairly quiet time when it's still in operation but there aren't many students or staff about (such as between 4 and 6pm on a Friday - I think it stops running at 6pm each day and the building is probably closed at weekends).

 

Paternoster lifts are still quite common in some countries in mainland Europe, especially in Germany, but they tend to be in buildings where access is restricted. I believe that there is a department store in Berne, Switzerland, that still has one open for public use, though.

 

Maybe the university should do tours of it, including a look behind the scenes at the engine room, for the annual heritage buildings open weekend in September. I guess the tours would have to be pre-booked and every visitor would have to be closely supervised.

 

As far as I'm aware, the public are allowed in the building if they want to venture in. You'll find that on the majority of the floors there are swipe card locks that ensure non-staff & non-students can't venture further than the lift area of each floors.

 

This is the way much of the University campus works, you can also wander into the Diamond building for a look round but you can't get past the first floor without a swipe card.

Edited April 17, 2018 by RootsBooster