A leading distributor of mobility aid products has unveiled plans to open a showroom in Stoke-on-Trent.
CareCo wants to move into Unit 5 at Tunstall Trade Park, on Brownhills Road, and has applied to Stoke-on-Trent City Council for permission to change the use of the site.
The unit is currently vacant and was last occupied by large mirror manufacturing company Glass Installations Limited.
If the plans are passed, the company’s new premises will display a range of mobility and care products – such as mobility scooters – for customers to view before ordering later from home.
A report submitted with the plans reads: “CareCo (UK) Ltd is seeking to establish themselves within the Stoke-on-Trent area and consider the application site offers a good location where there is ease of access to the site for customers looking to view any products available on display before generally an online purchase is made.”
The report states mobility aids “play a vital role in supporting an autonomous, safe and healthy life for thousands of elderly and disabled people by enabling participation in meaningful social, cultural, and physical activities.”
It refers to ONS figures published in March 2020 that said in 2018, 17 per cent of Stoke-on-Trent’s population was aged 65 and over. It is estimated that the proportion of people 65 and older will increase to 20 per cent by 2043.
The report adds: “Given the current and expected rise in elderly populations and the increased necessity of autonomy for elderly and disabled people to carry out daily activities, the option to deliver a much-needed mobility aid showroom to meet elderly needs should be embraced.
“Accordingly, it is considered that there is an important overriding “need” for the application proposal.”
The new showroom would create four jobs.
A decision on the plans is expected to be made within the next few weeks.
