The Stair Climbing Company is proud to announce its collaboration with the National Trust to improve accessibility across ten of its historic properties, including, Wimpole Estate in Cambridgeshire. This initiative represents a significant step in ensuring that visitors of all mobility levels can fully experience these treasured sites without compromising their architectural integrity.
The Stair Climbing Company is dedicated to making heritage sites more accessible while preserving their historical authenticity. Traditional lifts and ramps often pose challenges for historic buildings, where structural modifications could cause irreversible damage. The company’s innovative Stair Climber provides a practical, cost-effective, and immediate solution, allowing wheelchair users and those with limited mobility to navigate staircases safely and comfortably.
Chris Persey, Operations Director at The Stair Climbing Company, expressed his enthusiasm for the initiative:
“At The Stair Climbing Company, we are committed to creating accessible places, and this collaboration with the National Trust is a major milestone in that mission. By introducing Stair Climbers to these properties, we are providing a viable, non-invasive accessibility solution that ensures inclusivity without altering the fabric of historic buildings. We are excited to work with the National Trust to make more of their properties accessible to all.”
Iain Stewart, Senior Collections & House Manager of Wimpole Estate, also shared his thoughts on the collaboration:
“Accessibility is a key priority for the National Trust and we are delighted to be working with The Stair Climbing Company to make our historic properties more inclusive. The Stair Climber offers a practical way for visitors with mobility challenges to explore the estate without the need for permanent structural changes, preserving the site’s historic character while ensuring it remains open to as many people as possible.”
The impact of improved accessibility has already been evident at Wimpole Estate. As Iain Stewart noted:
“The Stair Climber is used at Wimpole Estate almost once a day, and people really enjoy it. The number of people using it and those who have started to come back to use it again is something we all here feel very proud of. The more people who see the Stair Climbers, the greater the awareness, leading to increased visitors.”
This collaboration aligns with the National Trust’s ongoing efforts to enhance accessibility across its sites. The introduction of Stair Climbers has already demonstrated tangible benefits, not only in improving access but also in increasing visitor numbers and engagement.
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