Lift Engineers for Clitheroe and the Ribble Valley
Clitheroe and the Ribble Valley have a lot of old buildings doing new jobs: hotels in country houses, restaurants in former coaching inns, shops in Georgian and Victorian buildings, and village halls serving whole communities. Most of them need some kind of lift. We install, service and repair lifts across the area from our base in Darwen.
We work on all the major makes, as well as older lifts with no manufacturer support.
Hotels, Pubs and Restaurants
Hospitality is a big part of the Ribble Valley, and a lift that breaks down on a Saturday wedding or a busy Sunday lunch causes real problems. We look after passenger lifts for guests, goods lifts for deliveries, and dumbwaiters taking food and plates between kitchens and dining rooms. We plan service visits for quieter times of day so we’re not in the way.
Dumbwaiters and Service Lifts
Dumbwaiters work hard and get little attention until they stop. The usual faults are worn doors and interlocks, drive belts and controller problems. Like any lifting equipment used at work, a dumbwaiter needs a LOLER thorough examination at least every 12 months, and it needs regular servicing to stay reliable.
Lifts in Historic and Listed Buildings
Fitting or replacing a lift in an old building means working around thick walls, uneven floors and limited space. In a listed building you’ll also need listed building consent for most alterations. We can help you choose equipment that needs as little structural work as possible, such as a compact platform lift that doesn’t need a deep pit.
Step-free Access with Platform Lifts
Under the Equality Act 2010, businesses and service providers have to make reasonable adjustments for disabled people, and that often means getting a wheelchair user past a few steps. Platform lifts built to BS EN 81-41 can be installed inside or outside, and step lifts can sit hidden until they’re needed.
Servicing, LOLER and Repairs
We set service intervals from the manufacturer’s instructions and how often the lift is used. A busy hotel lift needs more visits than a platform lift in a village hall. On every visit we check the doors, safety circuits, drive, levelling and alarm, and leave you a written record.
Lifts carrying people need a LOLER thorough examination at least every six months. If the report lists defects, we’ll explain them in plain English, price the repairs and get them done within the deadline. For breakdowns, we’ll give you a realistic arrival time and keep you updated.
Lift Alarms and the Phone Line Switch-off
The old analogue phone network is being switched off, with January 2027 as the current deadline. Lift alarms still running on those lines could stop working. We’ll check yours and upgrade it to a digital or GSM unit where needed. See our guide to the lift digital switchover.
Lift Services Across the Ribble Valley
We cover Clitheroe along with Whalley, Barrow, Chatburn, Waddington, Gisburn, Longridge and Ribchester. In Barrow, near Whalley, we fitted a platform lift so a derelict building could reopen as an accessible village hall (read the case study). See all the areas we cover.
Looking for a lift for your home? See our home lift installation in Clitheroe and the Ribble Valley.
Need a lift engineer in Clitheroe? Call 01254 775187 or send us a message.
Frequently Asked questions
Can a dumbwaiter carry people?
No. Dumbwaiters and service lifts are built to BS EN 81-3 for goods only and are designed so people can’t get inside. Nobody should ever ride in one.
What finish is best for a kitchen dumbwaiter?
Stainless steel is the usual choice for kitchen dumbwaiters, as it’s hard-wearing and easy to keep clean to food hygiene standards.
What's the difference between a platform lift and a passenger lift?
Platform lifts travel slowly, at no more than 0.15 metres per second, and are usually simpler and cheaper to install, often with no pit. Passenger lifts are faster, have a fully enclosed car and suit busier buildings.
What size lift does a wheelchair user need?
Approved Document M recommends a car of at least 1100mm wide by 1400mm deep for a wheelchair user and one companion. Larger cars give more room to turn and suit bigger wheelchairs.
Does an outdoor platform lift need planning permission?
It can do, particularly on a building’s frontage, in a conservation area or on a listed building. Check with the local planning authority before ordering.
What is a step lift?
A step lift is a small platform lift that gets a wheelchair user up a few steps. Some models fold into the steps themselves, so the stairs work normally until the lift is needed.
Can a lift be fitted to the outside of a building?
Yes. An external lift with its own enclosure can be added where there’s no room inside. It needs a suitable foundation and weatherproofing, and usually planning permission.