HEALTH and social care professionals, charity workers and manufacturers were among those attending an open day yesterday to launch a brand new Keighley mobility aid showroom.

The facility in Beckside House, Pitt Street, was developed by KL Stairlifts, the mobility arm of Keighley Lifts.

As well as different types of stairlifts, guests at the open day viewed hoists and an electric bed for disabled people.

They were treated to a lunch and listened to an inspirational talk delivered by former South Craven School pupil Emily Rose Yates, who is an advocate for sport in disability.

There was also a tombola, demonstrations of equipment and a promotion of First Aid courses which will be offered from this property.

Company managing director Stuart Boocock offered thanks to his firm’s staff and suppliers for making the showroom’s opening possible.

Head of mobility for the company, Ele Greenwood, said she and her colleagues were delighted with the response to the day.

She added: “We were shown so much support by manufacturers, charities, professional carers, customers and friends.

“We had a great welcome speech by our managing director, while Keighley East councillor Steve Pullen told our audience a little about the history of Beckside House, finishing by cutting the ribbon and officially opening the showroom.

“Emily’s presentation was amazing. It was so inspirational and we had excellent feedback from everyone about it.”

Guests at the event stressed the vital role that mobility aids play in ensuring disabled or elderly people can remain at home comfortably and independently.

Among those present was Andrew Musson, sales manager for the access arm of Thyssen Krupp, which had one of its own stairlifts on display.

Mr Musson said the model uses sophisticated avionic technology to ensure its seat stays level when tackling staircase bends.

He said such machines have to be “ultra safe” to account for users who may have cognitive as well as physical disabilities.

Liv Moffat, community fundraiser for the charity Sue Ryder, said: “We’re really pleased to have been invited here today.

“We rely heavily on the local community and it’s fantastic that the company is prepared to offer this kind of service.”

Bev Johnson, a dementia advisor for the Alzheimer’s Society, said: “I think the showroom will be a great resource for our staff.

“We work with people across Keighley and Bradford from first point of diagnosis, and we often get asked about mobility and disability issues.”

Also attending were Airedale Hospital-based occupational therapists Lizzie Halliday and Talat Rashid.

Mr Rashid said: “It’s important to have this kind of facility. Before it opened, the next closest to Keighley, where people could come and trial the mobility equipment before buying it, would have been in Shipley.”