We Score First at National Football Museum

In the run up to the 2002 World cup finals, most English football fans will be hoping that Sven's boys will emulate the achievement of the 1966 squad and bring the cup home. As a consequence, the National Football Museum has seen a significant increase in the number of visitors. Officially opened in June of 2001, it is fully accessible to wheelchair users and families with push chairs. We were pleased to be awarded the contract to supply a disabled access platform lift.

Mark Bushell, Marketing Manager at the National Football Museum, comments. “The Museum is designed with the best possible access for all visitors in mind. We needed a disabled access lift that was safe and reliable. Movement Management were able to satisfy both these criteria.”

“A game of two halves” is how the new National Football Museum is being described. Based at Deepdale, the home of Preston North End Football Club, the museum’s first half takes a look back through the history of the beautiful game.

One particular exhibit celebrates England winning the World cup in 1966. The actual cross bar, a source of considerable controversy surrounding England’s third goal, is exhibited within the museum. The second half is a themed hands-on exhibition, with many interactive displays, examining different facts of the game.

Particular attention has been given to the needs of the less able throughout the Museum. For example, the exhibitions are multi-sensory, with sound throughout and opportunities for handling objects. Access ramps have been incorporated to enable easy access for wheelchair users and families with push chairs between the Museum’s three levels.

One of our Companion Excel platform lifts provides access to the Museum’s upper level, a viewing area for the Preston North End stadium. It is an alternative to a short flight of steps and has a lift height of 1150mm.

Usually, we would supply the Excel as a complete self-contained unit, comprising lifting platform and the enclosure. On this occasion, however, the access gate, hand rails and support structure, were installed by the building contractor.

We simply supplied the lifting platform and operator controls. British Standard 6440, the code of practise covering powered lifting platforms for use by disabled persons, gives specific dimensions for the tolerances between the platform and the enclosure. We have considerable experience of these requirements and provided technical advice to ensure that the installation fully complied.

The Excel is one of our most popular products. The lift operates via a three phase 415v supply and is suitable for applications with a travel height of up to two metres. It can carry an optimum load of 400kg, so can easily accommodate a wheelchair passenger and attendant.

The Excel fully meets the requirements of all the relevant UK and European standards and design codes.

If you are interested in visiting the National Football Museum or would simply like to learn more about the attraction, visit the informative web site at: www.nationalfootballmuseum.com