Thistle Help and Mobility Centre founders outside Mobility Centre branch

Thistle Help has expanded its operations with the acquisition of the Mobility Centre in Crosshouse, promising to provide the same level of service but with an expanded product range.

Established by George Ruddick and Laura Hays in 2007, Thistle Help has gone from strength-to-strength, growing from a small shop to running its spacious showroom on Scotland’s West Coast in Irvine, Ayrshire.

Now the company has taken over fellow Ayrshire-based retailer the Mobility Centre in Crosshouse, with the Thistle Help highlighting it was keen to acquire the business from its current owner John Bond.

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“Like ourselves, John has been in the industry for many years and has a successful business in Crosshouse,” commented Thistle Help’s Managing Director George Ruddick.

“This acquisition makes sense as we strive to widen the area we serve. We will not only offer the customers of the Mobility Centre the same level of service but also a wider range of products from more suppliers than they do at present.”

According to Thistle Help, it will continue to supply lift & rise recliners, mobility scooters, manual and power wheelchairs, adjustable beds and daily living aids from both their Irvine showroom and the Crosshouse property.

The expanding retailer will also operate a repair service for all mobility equipment from both locations.

“George and I have worked hard to ensure all of our staff in our Irvine showroom have kept their jobs during this pandemic,” explained Laura Hays, Director and Business Development Manager.

“We are excited to be able to expand in these unprecedented times. Undoubtedly our staff’s dedication in providing a superior service has enabled us to be in the position to acquire the Mobility Centre.”

John Bond, Founder of the Mobility Centre, commented: “Having personally spent 15 years in the mobility sector serving the community of Ayrshire, I feel Thistle Help are the ideal business to acquire the Mobility Centre from myself.

“They are an excellent mobility company and I am confident my customers will receive the best service possible. It has been a pleasure to work alongside Thistle Help over the years and I would like to wish George, Laura and the team all the best for the future.”

Thistle Help will officially open its new showroom at 11 Gatehead Road, Crosshouse on Monday 2nd November and says it looks forward to continuing to provide the high level of service provided by John over the last three years.

In addition, the company has confirmed it will run special opening offers.

The opening hours in Crosshouse will continue to be Monday – Friday, 10am to 4pm.

THIIS caught up with owners George and Laura during the company’s ten-year anniversary to find out how a five-minute conversation between the pair led to the creation one of the most-established independent retailers in the region.

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https://thiis.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Mobility-Centre-Outside.jpghttps://thiis.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Mobility-Centre-Outside-150x150.jpgCalvin BarnettMergers & AcquisitionsNewsroomRetailer NewsTrade NewsThistle Help has expanded its operations with the acquisition of the Mobility Centre in Crosshouse, promising to provide the same level of service but with an expanded product range. Established by George Ruddick and Laura Hays in 2007, Thistle Help has gone from strength-to-strength, growing from a small shop to...News, views & products for mobility, access and independent living professionals