Showroom has better access for the elderly

Mar 18 2008 by Karen McLauchlan, Evening Gazette

A BESPOKE built-in furniture manufacturer has improved access to its East Cleveland business to help the region’s ageing and disabled population.

Built by East Cleveland developer Warsett Developments, a new special showroom has been created on the side of Integral Collection in Skelton.

The facility will showcase how the Skelton firm’s craftsmen can design and build kitchens, bedrooms and studies for people with mobility problems.

This includes features such as lower work surfaces and cupboards and increased access for wheelchair users.

Examples will be on display in the new 450sq ft showroom.

The improved facility has an even block paved car park, wider doors for wheelchair access and easy entry to the rest of the showroom.

Integral Collection general manager James Scully said: “A lot of our customers are older and have access issues and we wanted to create a low level kitchen, bedroom and study showing how we can help.”

Founded by Steve Duck and run with the help of his daughters Sharon and Sarah, Integral Collection is a thriving design, manufacture and installation business that now employs 23 staff and serves the North-east and North Yorkshire.

Its expansion also includes a new 1,600sq ft handling and storage area at the Skelton Industrial Estate unit which was also constructed by civil engineers and commercial builders Warsett Developments, of Loftus.

Its managing director Michael Moore said: “I am really pleased with the way both projects have gone. We had some really rough weather, which was a challenge, but were able to work around the client.

“The steel and composite building took about six weeks to construct and was designed to blend into the existing factory unit.

“We had a dozen staff working on the project and managed to build it without affecting production at the factory and finishing on time and on budget.”