In June 2017, Rushden Historical Transport Society, after four years of negotiations, acquired Rushden Goods Shed from the County Council. It has since been renovated as a heritage community hub and venue for hire.

The shed, which was originally designed for transporting shoes by trains to the mainline station for worldwide distribution, has an upper level with toilets at one end of the building. Access to the toilets from the lower level was by a steep ramp, steps or an externally located disabled ramp. This meant that visitors with limited mobility were having to go out of the building to the far end and use the disabled ramp to access the toilets, which wasn’t ideal, especially in wet weather. To improve access to the upper area and toilets, the society applied for a grant for a platform stair lift for the internal steep ramp.

Funding for the lift was obtained based on the specification and cost for the GTLE stair lift from Level Access Lifts, who were given the contract to carry out the project.

Home Access Solution

Following a site survey, Level Access Lifts confirmed the GTLE platform stair lift as the best solution to travel the length of the slope and provide wheelchair access to the upper level of the Goods Shed. The compact design of the stair lift, which folds up when not in use, also met the Rushden Historical Transport Society’s requirement that the ramped slope would remain wide enough for vehicles to pass through.

Level Access Lifts wall-mounted the GTLE platform stair lift could be installed without making any structural alterations to the historic building. Installation was completed within a day.

Results

The Goods Shed is now fully accessible and inclusive. The platform stair lift, which has a fold-up seat, provides an alternative route to the upper level and toilets, and the society can now ensure all its visitors, including those with mobility difficulties, can enjoy their exhibitions and events without having to leave the building and navigate the outdoor disabled ramp. The space is now also significantly more marketable for weddings, parties and venue hire.