Isle of Wight Celebrates 30 Years of Escalators

In honour of 30 years of hard working escalators the Isle of Wight is to hold a series of special celebrations dedicated to our esteemed automated staircase friends.

First introduced to the Island by a Newport branch of BHS during the 1980s, the arrival of the escalator caused an array of emotions, ranging from excitement and hysteria to distrust and panic.

The first week of the escalators operation saw 57 brave islanders ride it all the way to the second floor. Once it had been proven safe the following weeks saw queues unwitnessed since the Islands first traffic light was erected.

Old Man Jenkins, the islands oldest man remembers vividly the arrival of moving stairs. In an emotional interview he said: “people were terrified at first. I can remember taking my first wife when we’re courting, on the moving stairs. I used to take young ladies on for a thrill, used to give them the willies”.

Many medical experts such as Dr. G. Underwood remember the darker side of the escalator introduction: “We saw an increased number of escalator related injuries during the 80s. Many Islanders sustained cuts and bruises as they attempted to walk up the down escalator. Also many young women suffered terrible joyous hysteria and reported having the willies given to them”.

Since the 80s two further escalators have been built at Cinewold and Sports Direct. Two travelators have also been built at Sainsbury’s and the Co-op. Purists however, dismissed these as cheap knock-offs, remaining loyal to the moving stairs at BHS. As such these will not be included in the celebrations.

Celebrations will be held at BHS this February. Island dignitaries will be invited to take a ceremonial ride on the escalator, and a new commemorative plaque will be unveiled.

The council have expressed their continued dedication to the Islands escalators and seek to further promote them as one of the Islands premier tourist attractions.