Passenger Lifts in Alnwick | ACE Elevators (Northern) Ltd

Choosing the Right Platform Lift for Accessibility Compliance in 2025

October 31, 2025

Accessibility isn’t a luxury — it’s a legal and moral necessity. Whether you manage an office, a care home, a school, or a public building, ensuring that everyone can move freely and safely is part of your responsibility as an owner or manager. As we move into 2025, building regulations and equality standards continue to emphasise the importance of accessibility. And one of the best ways to achieve that is with a platform lift. But how do you know which type is right for your space? That’s where ACE Elevators Northern comes in. Why Platform Lifts Are So Important A platform lift is a simple yet powerful solution for overcoming short vertical barriers — like a few steps at an entrance, a split-level floor, or a stage area. Unlike full passenger lifts, platform lifts are compact, energy-efficient, and cost-effective, making them ideal for retrofitting into existing buildings where space or budget is limited. They’re also key to meeting the Equality Act 2010, which requires reasonable adjustments to ensure accessibility for everyone — including wheelchair users and those with limited mobility. So, if your building doesn’t yet have full step-free access, now’s the time to change that. Understanding the Different Types of Platform Lifts Not all platform lifts are created equal. The right choice depends on your building’s layout, usage, and aesthetic. Let’s break it down in plain English. Vertical Platform Lifts These operate much like a small passenger lift, travelling vertically between floors — usually up to 12 metres. They’re perfect for multi-storey buildings or mezzanine areas and can be installed indoors or outdoors. Inclined Platform Lifts If your building has a staircase but limited room for a vertical shaft, an inclined lift travels along the line of the stairs. They’re especially popular in schools, listed buildings, or heritage sites where major structural work isn’t possible. Step or Low-Rise Lifts These compact units handle small height differences — up to around a metre — and are ideal for shops, entrances, or public counters where a ramp isn’t suitable. At ACE Elevators Northern, we install and maintain all of these types across Yorkshire and the North of England, tailoring each system to the site and the people using it. Key Things to Consider Before Installation When choosing your platform lift, there are a few important factors to think about: Space and layout – Do you have enough room for a vertical lift, or would an inclined option fit better? Users – Will it be used mainly by wheelchair users, or for general mobility access? Aesthetics – Modern lifts can blend seamlessly into your décor with glass panels or custom finishes. Safety and compliance – Make sure your lift meets Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC and BS EN 81-41 standards. Maintenance and service – Regular checks keep your lift safe, smooth, and compliant long term. An experienced installer (like ACE) can help you evaluate all of this before making a decision — so you end up with a lift that’s compliant, reliable, and perfectly suited to your space. Future-Proofing Your Building for 2025 and Beyond Accessibility standards aren’t standing still. Local councils and regulatory bodies are putting more emphasis than ever on inclusive building design, particularly in public spaces, educational environments, and housing developments. By investing in a platform lift now, you’re not only ensuring compliance — you’re future-proofing your building and making it welcoming to everyone. Plus, with modern energy-efficient drive systems and smart controls, today’s lifts are quieter, cheaper to run, and easier to maintain than ever before. How ACE Elevators Northern Can Help We’ve been installing and maintaining platform lifts and mobility access solutions across Yorkshire and Northern England for over 30 years. Our friendly, qualified engineers handle everything — from initial survey and design, to installation, maintenance, and ongoing support. We work with all types of buildings, including: Care homes and schools Commercial and office spaces Residential properties Heritage and listed buildings And because every lift is different, we’ll always provide a bespoke solution that fits your budget, layout, and compliance needs. Ready to Improve Accessibility? Let’s Get Started If you’re unsure which platform lift is right for your building, we’re here to help. Our team at ACE Elevators Northern can assess your site, explain your options, and recommend the most practical, compliant solution. Call 01535 600 688 or Request a Free Quote Let’s make your building accessible, compliant, and welcoming to everyone in 2025 — and for many years to come.

The Real Cost of Neglecting Lift Maintenance: Safety, Downtime, and Legal Risks Explained

October 31, 2025

When a lift seems to be working fine, it’s easy to push maintenance down the to-do list. After all, if it isn’t broken, why fix it — right? Unfortunately, that’s one of the biggest (and most expensive) mistakes building owners and managers make. At ACE Elevators Northern, we’ve seen first-hand how skipping routine maintenance leads to breakdowns, costly repairs, and even safety issues that could have been avoided with a quick service. Let’s talk about the real cost of neglecting lift maintenance — and why regular servicing is one of the smartest investments you can make for your building. 1. Breakdowns Don’t Just Happen — They Build Up A lift rarely fails out of the blue. Most breakdowns are the result of small issues that go unnoticed and untreated: worn cables, dirty sensors, minor electrical faults. Over time, those little things add up. What starts as a slight shudder or delay between floors can quickly become a full-scale failure — leaving tenants stranded and you with a hefty repair bill. Regular servicing from NVQ-qualified engineers means those minor problems are caught early, before they turn into emergencies. 2. The Hidden Financial Impact Neglecting maintenance doesn’t just risk safety — it drains your budget in sneaky ways: Emergency call-outs cost significantly more than scheduled services. Downtime interrupts daily operations, frustrating tenants and staff. Replacement parts for older systems can be expensive or difficult to source. Energy consumption increases as components wear down, making your lift less efficient. In many cases, we’ve seen businesses spend more on reactive repairs in one year than they would on three years of planned maintenance. 3. Safety and Legal Responsibility Under UK law — including the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER) — building owners are responsible for ensuring their lifts are safe to use. That means arranging thorough examinations by a competent person at regular intervals (every 6 months for passenger lifts, 12 months for goods lifts), alongside proper servicing. If a lift fails due to neglect and someone is injured, the legal and financial consequences can be severe — from fines and liability claims to reputational damage that lasts for years. Regular maintenance isn’t just best practice; it’s a legal duty. 4. Downtime Hurts More Than You Think A lift breakdown doesn’t just cause inconvenience — it can shut down essential access. For example: In a care home, it can isolate residents. In a school, it can disrupt accessibility compliance. In a commercial building, it can slow productivity and frustrate clients. Every hour your lift is out of action affects your tenants, your reputation, and sometimes even your legal standing under accessibility laws. A proactive maintenance schedule helps ensure your lift works when it’s needed most. 5. Regular Servicing Extends Your Lift’s Life Like any piece of machinery, a well-maintained lift lasts longer and performs better. Routine servicing can easily add five to ten years to your lift’s lifespan. It also makes it easier to plan for upgrades — for instance, scheduling lift modernisation at the right time rather than waiting for an unexpected failure. At ACE Elevators Northern, our service contracts are designed to keep your equipment performing at its best while giving you full visibility of what’s been checked, repaired, and recommended for the future. 6. Peace of Mind Is Priceless When your lift is on a proper maintenance schedule, you don’t have to worry every time it makes a sound or moves a bit slower than usual. You’ll know it’s being looked after by qualified professionals who understand your system and your building. Our clients across Yorkshire and the North of England often tell us that the best part of having a service contract isn’t just fewer breakdowns — it’s the confidence that everything’s compliant and running safely. The Smarter Way to Stay Ahead: If you can’t remember when your lift was last serviced, it’s probably overdue. A quick inspection today could save you thousands down the line. At ACE Elevators Northern, we provide tailored Lift Service Contracts that keep your system safe, efficient, and compliant — without unnecessary cost. Call us on 01535 600 688 or Request a Quick Quote today to arrange your next service. Let’s keep your lifts — and your business — moving smoothly.

Signs Your Lift Needs Modernisation — And How It Can Save You Money in the Long Run

October 31, 2025

Let’s be honest — most building owners don’t think about their lift until something goes wrong. It’s out of sight, out of mind… until it breaks down, starts moving slower, or makes a noise that wasn’t there before. If that sounds familiar, it might be time to think about lift modernisation. At ACE Elevators Northern, we help businesses and property managers across Yorkshire and the North of England upgrade old lift systems so they’re safer, smoother, and more energy efficient. So, how do you know when your lift is due for a refresh? Let’s talk about it Think of your lift like a car — it might still run, but after years of wear and tear, it just doesn’t perform like it used to. If your lift is outdated, you might notice: Slow or jerky movement between floors Noisy operation or unusual vibrations Buttons that don’t always respond Outdated interior panels or lighting Frequent breakdowns or call-outs If you’re seeing two or more of these signs, your lift could be costing you more to keep going than to upgrade. Even if it still “works fine,” older control systems and motors are often less efficient, which means you’re paying more in energy bills — and that adds up fast. Safety and Compliance — the Quiet Motivators It’s not just about comfort and speed. Regulations around lift safety have changed over the years, and older systems often don’t meet the latest standards. Modernisation doesn’t always mean a full replacement. In many cases, we can upgrade control panels, doors, or safety systems to bring your lift up to spec — without replacing the whole thing. That means you can stay LOLER-compliant, avoid downtime, and extend your lift’s life for another decade or more. The Hidden Cost of “Making Do” Many building owners hesitate to upgrade because the lift still “sort of works.” But here’s the catch: older lifts often need more frequent repairs, and replacement parts can become hard to source — or more expensive. We’ve seen situations where annual repair costs end up exceeding the price of a full modernisation within a few years. Worse still, when a lift fails completely, the disruption can be huge — tenants frustrated, staff inconvenienced, and accessibility affected. Upgrading proactively helps you avoid all that drama and keeps your building running smoothly. The Benefits of Modernising Your Lift A modernised lift isn’t just more reliable — it completely changes how people experience your building. After an upgrade, you can expect: Smoother, quieter travel Faster response times Energy-efficient operation (lower bills!) Modern aesthetics — lighting, control panels, finishes Better accessibility and safety compliance Modern lifts are smarter — many systems can self-diagnose issues before they cause a breakdown , so maintenance becomes easier and cheaper over time. What Lift Modernisation Looks Like with ACE Elevators Northern Every lift — and every building — is different. That’s why we start with a free site survey to assess your system and identify the most cost-effective upgrade path. Sometimes, it’s as simple as updating the controller or door mechanisms. Other times, it might mean a complete refurbishment to match your building’s standards. Either way, our NVQ-qualified, CHAS-accredited engineers handle the process from start to finish — minimising downtime and keeping your tenants happy. Thinking About Upgrading? Let’s Chat If you’ve been dealing with breakdowns, delays, or unhappy users, your lift is trying to tell you something. Modernising now can save you money, improve safety, and future-proof your building for years to come. ACE Elevators Northern has over 30 years of experience helping businesses across Yorkshire and Northern England transform tired old lifts into reliable, efficient systems. Call us today on 01535 600 688 or Request your free lift modernisation quote We’ll give you honest advice, a clear plan, and a lift that feels brand new — without the price tag of a full replacement.

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Choosing the Right Platform Lift for Accessibility Compliance in 2025

The Real Cost of Neglecting Lift Maintenance: Safety, Downtime, and Legal Risks Explained

Signs Your Lift Needs Modernisation — And How It Can Save You Money in the Long Run

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