University Canteen Accessibility Upgrade with an Aritco PublicLift Access

Platform Lift Replacement | Yorkshire

Project Overview

A busy university campus in Yorkshire required the replacement of an ageing platform lift serving the main canteen area. The existing lift had become unreliable and no longer met the operational demands of the building, where it played a vital role in providing accessibility for students, staff and visitors while also supporting the daily movement of catering trolleys between levels.

Appointed as Principal Contractor, A1 Access Lifts managed the complete replacement project, delivering a bespoke Aritco PublicLift Access platform lift with minimal disruption to the occupied university building.

The Challenge

Replacing a lift within a live university environment required detailed planning and close coordination with the university's facilities team.

The canteen remained operational throughout the project, meaning the works had to be carefully programmed to minimise disruption to students, staff and visitors while maintaining a safe working environment.

In addition to providing accessible passenger travel, the replacement lift also needed to accommodate the daily transportation of catering trolleys, making reliability and durability key considerations.

Our Solution

Following a detailed site survey, A1 Access Lifts recommended the Aritco PublicLift Access, selected for its robust construction, modern appearance and suitability for high-traffic public environments.

Acting as Principal Contractor, we managed every aspect of the project, including:

• Removal of the existing platform lift
• Preparation of the lift enclosure
• Associated builders' works
• Electrical alterations
• Installation of the new Aritco PublicLift Access
• Testing and commissioning
• Making-good works
• Client handover and user familiarisation

The replacement was carefully programmed to minimise disruption while ensuring the university maintained safe and reliable accessibility throughout the works.

Installation

Working within an occupied educational environment required careful sequencing of the installation programme and close communication with the client.

Our engineers completed the removal of the existing lift before installing the new Aritco PublicLift Access, carrying out all associated electrical works, builders' works and finishing works as part of a fully managed package.

Following comprehensive testing and commissioning, the lift was handed over ready for immediate use by both passengers and catering staff.

The Result

The completed installation has significantly improved accessibility within the university building while enhancing the day-to-day operation of the canteen.

The new Aritco PublicLift Access provides smooth, reliable travel for students, staff and visitors while also allowing catering teams to safely transport food trolleys and supplies between the two levels.

The project delivered a modern, dependable accessibility solution that supports both inclusive access and the operational needs of the university.

Project Summary

Project	University Canteen Accessibility Upgrade
Location	Yorkshire
Building Type	University
Role	Principal Contractor
Lift Installed	Aritco PublicLift Access
Project Type	Complete Platform Lift Replacement
Floors Served	2 Floors
Travel Height	Approximately 800mm
Rated Capacity	410kg
Primary Use	Passenger access and catering trolley transportation
Scope of Works	Removal of existing lift, builders' works, electrical alterations, installation of new lift, making-good works, testing, commissioning and handover

Why Choose A1 Access Lifts?

Projects within occupied educational environments demand careful planning, clear communication and an experienced contractor capable of delivering safely with minimal disruption.

With more than 50 years of combined industry experience, A1 Access Lifts provides complete turnkey lift replacement solutions across the UK. Acting as either a specialist subcontractor or Principal Contractor, we manage every aspect of the project—from the initial survey and design coordination through to installation, commissioning and long-term servicing.

Our ability to deliver complete accessibility projects, including builders' works, electrical works and making-good, provides clients with a single point of responsibility and a professionally managed project from start to finish.

Planning a Platform Lift Replacement?

Whether you're replacing an ageing platform lift within a university, school, public building or commercial property, our experienced team can help.

We'll assess your existing installation, recommend the most suitable replacement solution and professionally manage every stage of the project—from initial consultation through to installation, handover and ongoing maintenance.

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