Express Lift Tower Art Print

Previously and locally known as the Express Lift Tower, The National Lift Tower is a lift-testing tower in Northampton, built by the Express Lift Company – a division General Electric. Commissioned in 1978, construction commenced two years later and was officially opened by our late Queen Elizabeth II on 12 November 1982. In 1997, it was categorised as a Grade II Listed Building. The tower is 127.5m tall, 14.6m in diameter at the base and tapers to 8.5m at the top. The structure can be seen for miles around and remains the only lift-testing tower in Britain, and one of only two in Europe. My husband and I lived in Northampton (he was born there and lived in the town until he left to join the Royal Marines aged 19). I lived there at a completely different time – perhaps there was a sliding doors moment or two when he was back on leave! Either way, we both have connections to the town, and he to the lift tower, having started an electrical engineering apprenticeship there ... once upon a time!