Mobility Matters Article July 2025

FMs across the UK facing access crisis.

Emma Persey, Director at The Stair Climbing Company

Across the UK, FMs face a complex brief: how to keep historic and architecturally sensitive buildings functional, accessible, and future-ready? asks Emma Persey, director at The Stair Climbing Company

These historic and architecturally sensitive buildings are often used for work, hospitality, and public service, but retrofitting them for modern use – especially around accessibility – requires creative thinking beyond standard infrastructure upgrades.

When a building is listed or structurally inflexible, permanent changes such as installing a second lift or widening doorways may simply not be viable. Yet, building users – including staff, clients, and visitors – still require safe, equitable access. 

The challenge intensifies in buildings with a single point of vertical access, such as a lone lift. During servicing, outages, or fire drills, anyone with reduced mobility may be stranded or put at unnecessary risk.

This is where innovative, mobility-led solutions are changing the game.

Rather than relying solely on major retrofits, many forward-thinking teams are now turning to flexible, mobile solutions that work with a building’s existing footprint. These include technologies such as:

• Powered stair climbers;
• Track-based evacuation systems; and 
• Adaptive mobility aids that provide safe, efficient alternatives when lifts are out of action or access routes are compromised.

These mobility-led tools are supporting not just building users, but also the teams behind the scenes.

Facilities managers tell us these solutions give them confidence because they remove the panic and pressure that comes when someone is stuck or can’t access key areas during planned maintenance or emergencies.

Mobility solutions to work smarter

Instead of relying on temporary staff workarounds or risky manual handling, building teams can deploy lightweight, portable devices that are easy to store and operate. These tools are not just about compliance, but about fostering resilience and continuity. 

When a building only has one lift, a mobile stair climber becomes more than an accessibility aid; it’s part of a contingency plan that safeguards everyone.

The impact isn’t limited to those with long-term mobility needs. Think of a staff member recovering from surgery, or a client with a temporary condition like a broken ankle or asthma flare-up. 

Or consider the needs of older visitors attending events in venues with heritage constraints. These real-world situations highlight how smart mobility planning benefits all users and not just those with visible disabilities.

Shifting perspectives

Interestingly, awareness remains one of the biggest barriers. Many facilities teams and architects are simply not familiar with what’s available or assume it’s too specialist or expensive. However, the landscape is shifting.

There’s a perception that these technologies are only for hospitals or care homes, but we’re now seeing them in museums, law offices, private members clubs, and even listed government buildings. Anywhere people need to move safely, there’s a use case.

And this is where the conversation must evolve, from accessibility as an afterthought to mobility as a strategic enabler.

By investing in mobile, adaptable solutions, building stakeholders can:

• avoid unnecessary structural interventions;
• reduce liability risks;
• improve the day-to-day experience for all users; and 
• lay the groundwork for more inclusive, sustainable building management practices – something that’s becoming increasingly important as ESG standards become more central to property operations.

Ultimately, making a building accessible doesn’t always mean starting from scratch. It means working smarter, anticipating disruption, and embracing tools that make environments safer and more responsive.