After being forced to move online during lockdown, one Harrogate business has now decided to permanently close its store and move fully online.

Change Mobility operated on King’s Road for five years before closing for good last week. The pandemic accelerated its move online.

The company decided on the move after listening to customer feedback and assessing sales during lockdown.

Change Mobility is the sister company of Beaucare another Harrogate-based business that supplies products to care homes, hospitals and individuals.

Change Mobility sells a range of care supplies from living aids such as grab rails to wheelchairs.

It will still provide home visits and a click and collect service from its office on Hornbeam Park.

Heather Mawray, managing director of Beaucare, said:

“The retail market has been difficult over the last 12 months. This has accelerated our move to a different operating model. During the pandemic many customers have required home deliveries, this will continue as a key feature for Change Mobility going forward.

“Advice and assessments will be available in person at home visits arranged at times to suit the customer, this has been welcomed by many of our customers who would have previously found it difficult to travel to the store.

“We are really looking forward to continuing to support our Change Mobility customers and ensure they receive outstanding service.”

The company told the Stray Ferret no jobs had been lost due to the move.

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The final stage of a management buyout of a Harrogate medical supplies company has been completed.

Beaucare Medical, which employs 68 staff, supplies medical, nursing and hygiene equipment, including PPE, to the care sector.

Managing director Heather Mawrey and commercial finance director Joe Storr, have now bought the remaining shares in the business from original owner Jonathan Brown.

The pair bought into the business in 2017 when Mr Brown sold his controlling stake. They have now bought his remaining 45% of shares.

The company, which began life in 1992 in Mr Brown’s garage, now has an annual turnover of almost £12 million.

Ms Mawrey, who has worked for the company for 15 years, said:

“We’ve enjoyed a busy period in the three years since Joe and I initially bought into the business.

“We’re extremely grateful to Jonathan for his continued input, which has created a seamless handover, and we’re delighted to complete the final stage of this management buyout.”

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The company, which was advised on the buyout by Harrogate law firm LCF Law, has experienced a surge in demand for PPE and other medical supplies during the pandemic.

The buyout was funded by the Santander Santander Corporate & Commercial, which funded the initial £3 million buyout in 2017.