A Petersfield firm has served up a UK first by opening a showroom that could change the lives of wheelchair users and less-abled people around the country.
Nick Collyer is convinced the Independent4Life showroom on the corner of Station Road and Winton Road is unique to the UK.
His firm sells height-adjustable units and similar products for kitchens and bathrooms to give the less-abled more freedom at home.
The showroom is nothing short of life-affirming and showcases an incredible range of units and space-age appliances that could change the lives of so many people.
But like the Scandinavians, the showroom in the former Agincourt unit has a quiet dignity and doesn’t scream “care”. That’s just the way Mr Collyer and clients from around the UK and Europe want it.
“We’ve been told by various people there’s nothing else like this available in the UK and this showroom is quite unique,” said the managing director.
“The kitchens here are designed to make it look as less institutional, and less as a care kitchen, as possible. We don’t want the kitchens to look like they belong in a care home.
“We don’t design kitchens, but we’ll work with your kitchen company to include these appliances and features.
“I want to make kitchens look as normal as possible without screaming ‘care home’ or ‘disabled’ and I think what we’ve got here does that.”
The firm has an exclusive UK agreement with Granberg, a Swedish firm which produces height-adjustable units and products for kitchens, bedrooms and bathrooms. Their products include wheelchair accessible sinks and taps, units which can be brought down to waist height, electric wardrobes and adjustable washbasins to name a few.
Avid viewers of Grand Designs will be familiar with some of the equipment that Independent4Life offers. There’s an episode in which a wheelchair user designs and builds a new home complete with a stove, sink and units which rise and fall, allowing him to carry out kitchen tasks that most of us take for granted.
The Petersfield unit is a showcase for this type of technology with devices including appliances that can be Alexa-operated and remote and removable oven knobs.
The firm’s unique place in the market has brought them custom from everyone from top hotel chains to the NHS. The majority of their work is commercial with architects or kitchen companies typically making enquiries.
Customers tend to fall into five categories, ranging from the born disabled to couples with a big height difference.
It’s taken around six months to convert the former unit into an energy-efficient showroom but the change has been sensational.
And although its appointment-only, an open event is planned for Saturday, October 19, to give people a taste of the life-changing firm that Petersfield can be proud of.
Mr Collyer: “It’s a unique showroom that doesn’t scream care and it’s here in Petersfield. I guess you could call it a great secret.”
For more details about the firm email [email protected] or visit www.independent4life.co.uk