Member Article

Business centre made accessible with stairlift donation

MP Kris Hopkins has unveiled a donated stairlift at a local business support centre, allowing the facilities to be accessible by all.

Keighley-based Airedale Enterprise Services, which recently moved into the Crown Works Business Centre, has received a stairlift donation from neighbouring Steeton business, Acorn Stairlifts.

Airedale Enterprise Services, which provides facilities including training, access to funding and room hire for new and existing businesses, is situated on the first floor without lift access. MP Kris Hopkins, who officially opened the centre in September, reached out to manufacturers, Acorn Stairlifts, following a site visit with former Leader of the House of Commons William Hague in April.

Keighley and Ilkley MP Kris Hopkins said: “I am immensely grateful to Dave Belmont and the team at Acorn Stairlifts for their kindness and generosity. I know it is deeply appreciated by everyone at AES with the benefits being felt for many years to come by those now able to access both floors of the centre. The future success of the Keighley and Ilkley economy is dependent on the success of local business, with AES at the helm. Thanks to their contribution, Acorn Stairlifts have more than played their part is helping local enterprise to flourish.”

Kate Gledhill, group HR manager at Acorn Stairlifts, said: “We were delighted to help when Kris got in touch. Limited mobility should never be detrimental to business success and we’re aware of the great work done by Airedale Enterprise Services, it’s an excellent training facility and resource for companies of all sizes.

“Through supporting AES in this way, we happy to play a small part in nurturing growing businesses in the area.”

The stairlift, which marks the 10th donation Acorn Stairlifts has made this year, will go towards supporting a number of business users at the centre in Keighley, as well as opening up the facilities to a wider professional audience.

Business and Operations Manager at Airedale Enterprise Services, Wendy Spencer, said: “Our office move gave us double the space, meaning we have more services available to businesses and entrepreneurs across the district. Thanks to MP Kris Hopkins and the team at Acorn Stairlifts for the stairlift donation, we can now ensure these facilities are accessible by everyone, which is a real boost for anyone looking to start a business or attend business training workshops, who may have previously thought the physical support wasn’t out there for them.”

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