Commercial Wheelchair Lift Installation

In the course of a normal week you would expect to visit shops, cafes, a restaurant maybe, the cinema, a museum or heritage property, a place of worship perhaps, and – of course – your workplace. The list is likely to be identical whether you’re non-disabled, or in a wheelchair and, thanks to the Equality Act 2010, the UK is now working hard to ensure that buildings are inclusive across the commercial sphere.


What is the Equality Act 2010?

The Equality Act 2010 requires that all public buildings (buildings accessed by the public) make ‘reasonable adjustments’ to ensure that wheelchair users are able to access them in the same way that a non-disabled person might. Reasonable adjustments may include ramps, the widening of doorways or the installation of a commercial wheelchair lift.

The Platform Commercial Wheelchair Lift

A few decades ago, the installation of a commercial wheelchair lift would have been cost-prohibitive. Thankfully, this is no longer the case because of the development of platform lift technology. A platform lift does not require a lift shaft, making their installation simpler, cheaper and more flexible. They can also be installed internally, or externally, making them popular for entrance steps, or split-level museums or gardens.

Space Required for A Platform Lift

The flexibility of the platform lift is largely due to its relatively small footprint when compared with traditional lifts. The lift cabin or platform needs to be big enough to accommodate a passenger, in their wheelchair. The best way to visualise this is to consider that a platform wheelchair lift is approximately the same size as a medium-sized armchair.

Types of Commercial Wheelchair Lift

Platform lift technology can be adapted to fulfil a number of functions, making it possible to provide wheelchair access in a variety of commercial spaces:

  • Step Lifts. The step lift provides access up small flights of steps, or over split level floors inside or out. The platform is open, and the height available for travel should be no more than 3 metres. An integrated platform lift – often used by museums, or heritage properties – is seamlessly integrated into its surroundings, appearing only when required.
  • Inclined Platform Lifts. The inclined platform lift allows wheelchair users to utilise stairways between floors. The technology can adapt to the contours of virtually any stairway, including spirals and classical curved stairs.
  • Vertical Platform Lift. The vertical lift looks and operates like a traditional elevator. The cabin is enclosed and has a control panel to determine which floor is required. It can travel up to 15 metres at a speed of 0.15MPS.

Experienced Installers of Commercial Wheelchair Lifts

For nearly two decades now, Tower Lifts has been championing inclusive access by providing the design and installation of commercial wheelchair lifts. Over the years we’ve worked with clients in retail, hospitality, schools, entertainment and numerous office buildings to design robust and reliable access to facilities. We’re considered leaders in the construction of bespoke platform lifts where architectural challenges create the need for innovative designs.


Tower Lifts is a leading designer and installer of the commercial wheelchair lift. We use innovative platform lift tech to create affordable access. Call 01525 601099