Advanced Mobility in Bingley hopes to hit £1 million

Advanced Mobility Solutions moved across town to a bigger and more prominent location in the Five Rise Shopping Centre, in Bingley last October, taking over the former Poundland premises.

Owner, Damian Town-Jones, said getting the new location shop-ready has taken “hard work and a lot of money”.

The business’s six current staff members – including Mr Town Jones – have all been “hands to the pump”.

Damian Town-Jones (one from left) from Advanced Mobility with staff (Image: Telegraph & Argus)

Mr Town-Jones has spent £100,000 on the move, including stock and refitting the walls, floors, roof, heating, air-conditioning and electricity.

But he said the new location is “exactly where we want it”.

Advanced Mobility was previously situated in a much smaller, and less prominent, building off Chapel Lane and Mr Town-Jones feels they are now in a prime location, which is proved in the numbers.

Last year the company turned over £600,000 but now wants reach a significant milestone in 2023.

Damian Town-Jones is all smiles after some bumper months (Image: Telegraph & Argus)

Mr Town-Jones said: “We want to turnover that big boy, being the £1 million.”

He added: “Truth be told, 10 years we’ve worked in the old shop, I wouldn’t say it was tough but I would say we always struggled in retail.”

The firm had one big month in its old premises, making £18,000, but that is nothing compared to what Advanced Mobility has been achieving since the move.

Mr Town-Jones told the Telegraph & Argus the business earnt more than £30,000 from retail last November, followed by a December that “blew it out the water”.

He said: “I don’t want to jinx myself, but every month since the move here has been a phenomenal month.”

Some of the products at Advanced Mobility (Image: Telegraph & Argus)

Some of the products at Advanced Mobility (Image: Telegraph & Argus)

Mr Town-Jones added: “We stock significantly more stock than we’ve ever stocked.

“A lot of people come in the store and say ‘Bingley needed things like this’, which, we’ve been here but it was smaller.”

The move has meant Advanced Mobility can now also stock items such as recliner chairs – which they have sold 30 of so far – and beds – selling five to date.

The company also had a unit in Keighley with staff spread between both locations and Mr Town-Jones said one of the main reasons for moving to one bigger location was to bring everyone together.

Advanced Mobility moved into the former Poundland premises in the Five Rise Shopping Centre, in Bingley last October (Image: Telegraph & Argus)

Advanced Mobility Solutions's old premises in Chapel Street, Bingley (Image: Telegraph & Argus)

A big part of the business is providing mobility scooters at large events so those with accessibility issues can enjoy these occasions.

The new bigger premises means Advanced Mobility can now expand its offering – going from 18 shows in its first year to more than 40 planned in – with “more and more coming” – for 2023 so far.

Mr Town-Jones said: “The long and short of it is, we hire out mobility scooters to the elderly, infirm, or anyone who needs assistance with walking.

“It gives people a lease of life at big events.”

This includes the likes of the Great Yorkshire Show, the Royal Highland Show in Edinburgh and the Royal Cornwall show.

He said: “We take on massive shows.

“150 people get the opportunity to come out and enjoy the show, because a lot of them are stuck in their homes.”

A new part-time staff member will be starting at the business in a couple of weeks but Mr Town-Jones envisages Advanced Mobility will top seven full-time staff soon.

Damian Town-Jones checking over stock (Image: Telegraph & Argus)