 The tower had four lifts , each capable of reaching the top in 90 seconds and conveying up to 2000 people an hour . The views from the top included the Liverpool skyline , the River Mersey estuary and the River Dee . On a clear day visitors could see across the Irish Sea to the Isle of Man , along with views of the Lake District and Welsh Mountains . In its first year the tower attracted up to half a million visitors to the top . At night the tower was illuminated by fairy lights . 
