Lift repair ends residents' six-month ordeal in Rhos-on-Sea

Infirm and elderly people were left stuck on the upper floors of Penrhyn Park, a retirement property situated in Rhos On Sea, after the lift broke down. It had been out of action since August 1 2022 and was fixed on Wednesday, February 15.

Stephen Ray, 69, who has lived at Penrhyn Park for nearly five years with his wife Susan and is secretary of the Residents Association, said: "Things are getting back to normal here at Penrhyn Park, with residents able to move around more freely."

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Edith Pearson, who lives  on the top floor, said: “I am so pleased that we now have our lift back in operation, but my thanks go to our newly formed residents committee and not to the current management.

"Residents here are very caring, and throughout the seven months of no lift, everyone helped each other. I am very lucky to have such good friends and neighbours.”

Stephen Ray lives at the complex with his wife Susan. (Image: Stephen Ray)

Emeritus Homes manages Penrhyn Park which has 38 apartments over three floors. 

Prior to the lift being repair, the company installed new chair-lifts to help residents on the upper floors.

However, Mr Ray, who is blind with light perception only, termed the installation was "dangerous". 

He told the Pioneer in January: "The stairlift was fitted only at one end of the building but it does go from the ground floor to the top floor in two runs. It does not end on the landings, but stops on the last stair tred. This has resulted in residents having to lean over the open stairwell to lift or lower the arm or foot rest.

"Many residents struggle badly with the stairs, and there are some that simply cannot use them. A lot of residents find the stair lift dangerous and inadequate and of course, residents with walkers or wheelchairs cannot use it at all.

"We have, over recent months, witnessed ambulance personnel struggling to get seriously ill residents to hospital. Also, family members being forced to carry elderly relatives down the stairs. This situation has forced some residents to stay in their apartment for months now, and all this after self isolation for covid."

A spokesperson from Emeritus Homes also informed the paper in January that the lift was out of action due to the failure of one of the main components. 

The lift prior to it being fixed (Image: Stephen Ray)

The Manchester based firm added: "Major work was undertaken on the lift by specialist contractors before Christmas but regrettably this did not resolve all the issues. Delays have occurred due to the availability of compatible parts which are sourced from abroad."

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Emeritus Homes has since confirmed "The lift has now been repaired and back in service."

Again, prior to the lift being fixed, Colin Cooper takes a risk on the stairs. (Image: Stephen Ray)

Mr Ray said: "I am grateful to the North Wales Pioneer for highlighting our plight, and think that the paper's intervention helped resolve this situation much sooner than otherwise would have been the case.

"The management company have said they will apologise to the residents and have also agreed to compensate residents for services not provided. 

Joy Miller on the chair lift at Penrhyn Park. Residents raised concerns about the chair lifts. (Image: Stephen Ray)

"The residents association are also in discussion with them to put in place new procedures which will hopefully prevent this situation ever arising again."