Cumbrian mobility retailer outgrows former shop and cuts ribbon on new mobility centre
Having outgrown its former retail space, Penrith-based Cowper’s Mobility Centre has officially opened the doors to its new premises, where it will look to expand its product and service offering.
An offshoot of Joseph Cowper Ltd, a long-running Penrith chemist and pharmacy established in 1899, Cowper’s Mobility operates the Cumbria County Council’s the Transforming Community Equipment Services scheme, which launched across the county in 2009.
The TCES programme enables accredited retailers, including community pharmacies, to be reimbursed for supplying independent living and mobility aids, with patients issued prescriptions eligible for mobility and bathing products.
In 2015, the company opened up a Cowper’s Mobility shop on the same street as its pharmacy, however, space became tight as larger mobility aids ate up space, leading to the company to invest in a larger retail space a distance, showroom manager Sarah Saunders.
“The mobility side has just grown and grown to the point where we agreed the time was right as the only mobility shop in Penrith to expand and make it into a complete mobility centre,” she told THIIS.
Following a complete renovation and redesign, the new space now boasts easy wheelchair access, a disabled toilet, a stairlift for users to reach the centre’s first floor, as well as a service lift.
“We now have everything we couldn’t fit into the old shop, such as beds and furniture,” said Sarah.
“We do everything from a urine bottle right through to a big bed or a top-of-the-line scooter and we also have contracts with companies’ who handle car adaptation conversations, so we aim to meet all customers’ needs.”
With the additional space, Cowper’s Mobility plans to further expand its product portfolio, as well as potentially offer a scooter and wheelchair hire service.
Officially opened the new mobility centre, former Penrith MP David Maclean, who lives with condition MS, praised the company and highlighted the need for mobility bricks and mortar shops that allow people to get hands-on with products.
As reported in the Cumberland and Westmorland Herald, Mr Maclean, said: “To me, the first vitally important thing about this fantastic showroom is that you can see, try and test items that you can buy. You cannot do this online and get it right — trust me on that.”
With a team of three members working alongside Sarah, the centre works in partnership with Age UK, Hidden Hearing, Seni Ltd and local care homes, engaging with local healthcare professionals, carers and end-users.