Stairlift business helps open up Church

Stairlifts (Scotland) Ltd, one of the country's leading suppliers of access equipment, has been called on to help improve access for people with disabled at one of the country's most historic churches.

The family-owned company, based in Glasgow, was asked to take on the sensitive project of installing a circular stairlift at the Glasgow Evangelical Church, formerly known as the Barony North Church, in the leafy, pedestrianised Cathedral Square in Townhead.

The new stairlift, costing £8000, will provide access from the ground level of the imposing church – designed and completed by renowned architect John Honeyman in 1880 – to the friendly and bustling cafeteria area below.

The installation had to be carried out carefully and sympathetically in the unusual Italianate church with its domed tower – which is quite different in architectural style to any of the surrounding buildings.

Lisa Melinda Barry, owner of Stairlifts Scotland, said: “This is a lovely building created by John Honeyman, who was a partner of Charles Rennie Mackintosh, and the installation had to take into account the Evangelical Church's historic nature. Fortunately, at Stairlifts Scotland we have a unique depth of knowledge and wide expertise in all aspects of the built environment in Scotland, from Victorian edifices to modern office blocks. We are very happy to work under the guidance of Historic Scotland as and then required.

Lisa added; “We have been delighted to have been able to contribute to making this wonderful element of Glasgow's architectural heritage more accessible to a wider range of people.”

The company can be contacted on 0141 551 0807

The website is HERE