Merseyrail’s Grand National fashion favourite that’s been anything but a flop

When Merseyrail started handing them out for free in 2009, its fashion favourite giveaway was more about safety than soothing the soles of high-heeled racegoers.

But the freebie flip-flops it now offers out to passengers who’ve been to Aintree is as much of an institution as the Grand National Festival itself.

Since it began, Merseyrail has given out a staggering 100,000 pairs of the rubber toe-posted sliders.

And, as it prepares to give away more than 5,000 more pairs in this its 18th year, it’s celebrating a brand-new colour change with the traditional black slip-ons being replaced by a brand new design.

Sally Ralston, Head of Community & Engagement for Merseyrail said:

“We wanted to brighten things up a bit.”

“So this year the flip-flops come in a lovely sunshine yellow and we’ve got a great ‘save your soles’ slogan.”

The flip-flop freebie was initially instigated as a safety feature: “It came from seeing large numbers of women travelling back from Aintree after a long day in high heels, and arriving at the station with sore, aching feet,” explains Sally.

“The idea was to hand out flip-flops so they didn’t feel the need to walk barefoot – which is often the first thing people do when their feet are hurting – and to help prevent slips or injuries.

“It’s just something that’s grown and grown and we couldn’t stop doing now.

“We give them out over all three days of the National.”

Sally adds: “We don’t think of Aintree as just a station, during the Grand National Festival it’s part of the overall customer experience of the event. It’s part of people’s day out.

“So we have the stage set up, we have lots of entertainment, and the flip-flops are probably what started all of that.

“It’s got bigger from there.

“To think that over the years we’ve handed out more than 100,000 pairs of flip-flops, it’s an incredible milestone (especially considering the pause when everything went into storage during the Covid pandemic in 2020 and 2021).

“The flip flops have become a cherished part of the journey home, a little ritual that people now look forward to – and they’ve helped our charity partners raise thousands of pounds for brilliant causes across the region.”

Sally says: “Beyond Aintree, we’ve donated countless pairs to charities throughout the city, including the street pastors who support Liverpool’s nightlife, as well as hundreds of pairs for brides-to-be to gift their wedding guests.

“Several boxes have even made their way to charities in Africa through local volunteers – and for a short time, one pair was proudly displayed in a museum as part of an Aintree exhibition, a lovely nod to their place in local culture.”

Merseyrail carries thousands of people to and from Aintree over the three days with very few slips, trips and falls: “We put that down partly to the flip-flops – and we’d like to keep it that way.

“Merseyrail is right outside the course, and the train is the best way to get in and out of the National and save on expensive taxi fares. We want people to use us, be comfortable in the queue and have a dance with us on the way home.

“So get your flip-flops, and we’ll have a bit of a party and get you home safely.”

Find out more on the Merseyrail website.

Find everything you need to know about The Grand National here.

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