Stannah and the Countess of York – a refreshing union

Thanks to a Stannah Lowriser 2.0 wheelchair platform lift, access to a titled dining carriage in York’s National Railway Museum (NRM) has been granted to all. Located in the Courtyard in the UK’s largest railway museum, the Lowriser brings step-free access to platform level where the Countess of York resides – a fully refurbished refreshment halt offering high tea and private dining in Victorian splendour. Parallel to a flight of eight steps, this simple, low-rise wheelchairlift plays a vital role in a comprehensive access arsenal that caters for a visitor footfall of circa 1 million per year – and rising. These facilities include free-of-charge wheelchairs, wheelchair-accessible toilets, ramps, large-print maps, audio guides, and a welcome for support dogs and mobility scooter-users, with scooters also available for hire. The Stannah Lowriser was specified by independent Project Manager, Alan Brockington, who has “specified Stannah lift products on numerous projects; they have an established, reliable reputation and the installations have been trouble-free on all occasions.” The Lowriser travels 1548mm between Courtyard and platform levels. The external lift offers through-entry with an in-built ramp for easy access and simple controls. Easy to install, the Lowriser platform lift does not require a pit and has a roomy 800mm x 1460mm platform for optimum user manoeuvrability and comfort. Mark Knibbs, Science Museum Group Catering Manager, parent company to the National Railway Museum, comments: “Access for all is key to our operation and our Stannah Lowriser is a premium piece of rolling stock, helping everyone experience the opulence and culinary excellence reminiscent of luxury European train travel in a venue celebrating the story of rail transport in Britain and its impact on society.” Installing, owning and operating the Stannah Lowriser access lift helps the NRM owners meet the requirements of the Equality Act 2010, with the added reassurance of continued lift maintenance by the North and North East branch of Stannah Lifts Services, part of a nationwide network providing comprehensive lift servicing and support, whatever the make of lift.

For more information on Stannah and the Countess of York – a refreshing union talk to Stannah Lifts