Yet, small businesses are often vital to our community well-being. They also often provide a social benefit that has great effect on our quality of life.
I thought of this recently on Thursday - attending the launch of a new Bariatric Showroom in Harlow. The first of its kind in the UK - and part of 1st Call Mobility (that already provides mobility equipment in the Town). This Showroom was not just any kind of showroom. It had been built from start to finish in five months and provides all the equipment and services that Bariatrics need. Never before have Bariatrics in the UK, been looked after in this way.
No wonder that there were nearly 200 people at the launch from medical units all over Britain. It was good to see Princess Alexandra well represented, with Occupational Therapists in strong attendance.
So, here was an example of a successful business, with an annual turnover of millions of pounds, created by hard work, entrepreneuralism and ingenuity. But, it is also a business which understands its market and is passionate about transforming the lives of its customers for the better. Its a nice example of the moral benefits of capitalism.
P.S. As you will see from the picture, I met yet another Essex Apprentice, Glen, employed by 1st Call Mobility. I am sure he will be a great success.
P.P.S. I hope you like the picture of Anton du Beke from Strictly Come Dancing with some Occupational Therapists. Anton opened the new Centre with a magnificent and humorous speech.
Spread eagled against a wall in the bank the other day, along with the entire queue of customers, we all watched in horrified silence as a baratric person riding a very large mobility vehicle reversed towards us as part of a hair raising three point turn in the aisle.
ReplyDeleteMy daughter was injured following being knocked off her bike by a, rather confused, mobility scooter driver whose vehicle swerved into her path on a cycle track.
A friend of mine's buggy - with her baby on board - was damaged in a supermarket aisle by a recklessly driven mobility vehicle: the baby was fortunate not to have been injured.
Every day, a number of mobility vehicle users race through Bush Fair at 8-10 miles per hour, putting pedestrians, including those who cannot move quickly because they rely on walking frames, at risk, and ignoring by laws which I believe restrict these vehicles to a safe 4 mph on pavements. We've all read of the mobility vehicle users causing havoc by driving on motorways.
I've a disability and believe in proper access for all people with disabilities: mobility vehicles are a Godsend to so many people with disabilities in this respect. I do hope, however, that this new baratric service will offer a facility which seems to be missed by current suppliers of mobility vehicles: training to protect both users and non users alike.