Warrington Disability Partnership relocates to larger premises with expansion plans on the horizon
North West-based charity Warrington Disability Partnership has moved its Disability Trading Company showroom from inside Warrington’s Golden Square shopping centre to a larger outlet just outside the shopping mall.
Situated between a Specsavers and a Brighthouse, the new mobility retail shop was officially opened by Deputy Mayor of Warrington Cllr Maureen Creaghan and Warrington Wolves’ legend Bennie Westwood on the 20th October.
The opening coincided with Warrington Disability Partnership’s latest Scoota-Safe Day, which was held 200m away in the town centre to provide valuable safety advice to mobility scooter and powerchair users.
Moving less than a minute’s walk away from its former retail space, Dave Thompson MBE, Chief Executive of Warrington Disability Partnership, told THIIS that the relocation would lead to a number of benefits for customers and the organisation.
“The store that we had in the Golden Square shopping mall was fairly small and we had the opportunity to take on something bigger, brighter, much airier and it is actually in a better footfall area as well. It has met all of our criteria,” he explained.
“We have more space to display stock and can now display more practical daily-use products, as well as larger products. We have a couple of beds and now also have the space to demonstrate complementary products with them, such as hoists and bed tables. We also have a working stairlift demo unit and a bath for customers to see.
“Equally, we have a much bigger product range, so we have been able to focus on the top-end stuff, including some of the big 8mph scooters and the high-end powerchairs.”
In addition to the relocation of its Golden Square store in Warrington, Dave also confirmed the charity’s plans to expand its retail operations in the near future.
“We’ve got another store coming up in five weeks, before the end of November and ahead of Christmas,” added Dave.
“We also have an offer on another store which we’ll know more about before Easter.”
Starting life in 1991 as the Warrington Information Group for the Disabled, the charity was founded by Dave, Eric Shaw, Alan James. Now, the Warrington Disability Partnership has grown to become a local and global charity providing over 25 vital services to disabled people, providing information, advice and guidance.
In 2011, the charity launched its retail arm, the Disability Trading Company. Established as a social enterprise, the commercial arm of the charity sells mobility and independent living products from three showrooms across the North West, with all profits being invested back into the charity.
The new store is located on 30 Sankey Street (Units 3 and 4), Warrington, WA1 1TD
