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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask what the lift is called?

184 replies

Downunderduchess · 18/02/2020 04:54

Putting this here, because I don’t know what subject it should come under. I was fascinated with a recent thread where several people mentioned a particular type of lift. I had never heard of it before, definitely don’t think we have them in Australia. The lift goes around a track & you jump out at your floor. What is it called please?? I want to tell someone about it & would like to know it’s correct name. Thanks!

OP posts:
londonrach · 18/02/2020 07:14

My worse fear. I hate normal lifts and been in one that fall. Seriously this exists! Shudder

speakout · 18/02/2020 07:14

Mlou32 is the Glasgow one still in operation?

Mlou32 · 18/02/2020 07:15

@speakout I left in 2009 and it was still in operation then.

speakout · 18/02/2020 07:16

I thought the Glasgow one was removed- was in the Dept Genetics I think.

HeronLanyon · 18/02/2020 07:17

Apparently there are lots still in use in Hamburg and Prague. Do you think it a bit niche to look for a paternoster tour?

MemorialBeach · 18/02/2020 07:17

Also went to Sheffield and this is bringing back find memories, but I was too much of a chicken to go over the top. It did get people up the building faster than the normal lift and though it initially seems terrifying, once you are practised at it and using it daily it's fine.

WizzyBee · 18/02/2020 07:17

My Dad used to work in th Arts Tower at Sheffield Uni and would take me and my brother on rides round the full circuit.

I remember my Dad sticking his foot out over the edge of the lift and I was terrified it would get chopped off by the next floor,, but unknown to me, the edge of the floors on the going up side hinged up so you didn't get injured; and the edges of the lift floors flapped up for when you were going down.

I still live in Sheffield and go and have a ride for old time's sake occasionally.

halexanderamilton · 18/02/2020 07:18

I can remember there being one at Northwick Park Hospital (Harrow) when I was a kid. It was a source of amazement to me. That was in 1976!

JudyCoolibar · 18/02/2020 07:20

Did Foyles used to have one?

No, I remember it well - they had one of the very old-fashioned ones with a metal grille door. They also clung for an incredibly long time to a payment system where you were given an invoice and had to take it to a payment desk to pay, whereupon it was put in an air tube and shot off elsewhere.

JudyCoolibar · 18/02/2020 07:22

My grandfather worked at Essex and took us on the paternoster there once. I can't say I liked it, but it didn't bother him at all.

HeronLanyon · 18/02/2020 07:26

judy ah ok a grille lift. Love those too - always feel as though I am in Poirot or similar when using them.
Yes I remember the Foyle’s payment system ! Have come across similar clinging on in a lot of eg Indian stores on travels. In fact I rather think I’ve used paternoster in India - think in a court building.

Lampan · 18/02/2020 07:27

I’m terrified of normal lifts but think I’d be OK with one of these! Maybe cos it doesn’t have doors and I think it’s lift doors that make me anxious - when they shut, or that awful couple of seconds before they open again.

FamilyOfAliens · 18/02/2020 07:27

There was one at Leeds University too - in the block where the Edward Boyle library was, I think.

TheMemoryLingers · 18/02/2020 07:32

There's something very sinister about them, I don't know exactly why.

Marmelised · 18/02/2020 07:33

Imperial College Chemistry department used to have one. Don’t think it’s still there.

marashino · 18/02/2020 07:36

Rumours that the walls close in on the Sheffield one when you go round the top are untrue.

chocatoo · 18/02/2020 07:37

I used to love the one at Leicester Uni. Very sad it’s gone. I might have to drive over to Sheffield for a whirl!

CheshireDing · 18/02/2020 07:40

I have never heard or seen one of those !

Looks disturbing, no way would I want to get in that, reminds me of those ones in some shops where you have to keep your finger on the button to get it to actually move,

OneInEight · 18/02/2020 07:41

There was one in the Biochemistry department at Oxford when I was a student (years ago) which frequently broke down with much laughter at those stuck between floors. I never did dare to go over the top.

notimagain · 18/02/2020 07:43

The paternoster lift at Essex Uni (ah, happy days but a heck of a long time ago...) is so iconic than rather than being binned it its is being refurbished...

library.essex.ac.uk/paternoster

Icecreamdiva · 18/02/2020 07:47

I remember the one at Imperial. I’m sad it’s gone.

spanieleyes · 18/02/2020 07:48

The Sheffield one was great fun, especially after a few drinks in Bar One! I didn't have many lectures in the Arts Tower but used to ride round for the fun of it! The Geography building was so boring in comparisonGrin

GETTINGLIKEMYMOTHER · 18/02/2020 07:51

Yes, paternoster. There was one at my university building. In the beginning it gave me nightmares that it was going too fast and I was unable to get off.

Back in those very long ago days we could get on at our own floor and do the whole circuit back to where we started, in the time it took to smoke a cheap No. 6 fag!

keiratwiceknightly · 18/02/2020 07:54

I have fond memories of Essex uni library and how our mates used to get in the car above ours and then shower us with bits of pistachio shell through the gaps.

polkadotpixie · 18/02/2020 07:59

I had a go at the one at Leicester Uni when I was in 6th form at the college next door. It was fun 😁