With another busy year coming to an end, we wanted to take a moment to look back on 2025 and reflect on some of the key moments and the people who made it one to remember.
All five of our shops have had an incredible year, and we are so proud of our teams for continuing to support those in our communities. Every day, they help people with mobility challenges find the right aids, advice and reassurance to live independently and confidently.
Welcoming Passion and Experience to Our Team
We welcomed some fantastic new faces to the team this year, including Jayne. In May, Jayne transitioned from her role as a Care Co-ordinator based at head office to Branch Manager at our Carlton, Nottingham shop. She shared how much she enjoys the role, explaining that she loves working in the Carlton Mobility Shop and feels her previous experience as a carer has been invaluable when supporting vulnerable customers and their families. For Jayne, being able to continue making a difference is what makes the role so rewarding.
When reflecting on what she enjoys most about her work, Jayne said it is the people she meets every day. She loves the contact she has with the local community and enjoys seeing familiar faces pop in regularly, whether it is for a chat, to top up on continence products, or simply to treat themselves to a new pair of slippers or shoes.
You can read more about Jayne and her journey with Premier Community here
https://www.premiercommunity.co.uk/jaynes-journey-with-premier-carlton/
Also at our Carlton store, we welcomed Khadija as a Shop Assistant during the summer. Khadija joined us while studying for her nursing degree at university, looking for a role that complemented her course. She shared that her first placement was in an elderly mental health ward, where mobility aids played a significant role in supporting patients.
Khadija’s passion for helping others shines through both in her work with us and in her training to become a nurse. We are excited to see Jayne and Khadija’s enthusiasm and energy continue to help the Carlton store thrive as we head into 2026.
Opening Doors in a New Community
As well as welcoming new faces, we also opened a brand-new shop this year. In July, we welcomed Paula to the team as she opened our Swadlincote based store, located on Rinkway Business Park. The shop has been designed to provide a comfortable space for browsing mobility aids, while also serving as a hub for our in-depth range of home care services.
Paula shared how much she is enjoying her new role and she hopes she has already made a positive difference to the mobility team. Looking ahead, she is excited for 2026 and eager to help the store grow and fulfil its potential.
She also spoke about what she is most proud of since joining the team, explaining that taking on some of the behind the scenes administration has helped support the wider mobility team and keep things running smoothly.
You can read more about Paula’s journey with Premier Community here
https://www.premiercommunity.co.uk/paulas-path-with-premier-in-swadlincote/
Honouring 11 Years of Commitment
Alongside welcoming new faces, we also said a fond farewell to Lynne, Store Assistant at our Kingsmill shop, who has been part of the Premier Community family for over 11 years. Throughout her time with us, Lynne worked across both our care and mobility services, leaving a lasting impression wherever she went.
As she steps into a well earned retirement, we wanted to recognise her dedication and the value she brought to our family business. We are incredibly proud to have had Lynne as part of our team and wish her all the very best for the future.
Fresh Looks for Familiar Spaces
It was not only a new shop opening in 2025, two of our existing shops also received a fresh new look. Maureen’s Woodseats shop underwent refurbishments, creating a brighter, more welcoming space and room for a dedicated home care hub, alongside updates at our Carlton store in Nottingham.
From Halloween Cheer to Community Kindness
Our Ilkeston team had a particularly busy year giving back to their community. On Halloween, the store opened its doors to trick or treaters taking part in the town’s annual event, with tubs of sweets ready for local families. Lynne and Libby certainly had a busy afternoon as residents popped in to enjoy the displays.
In November, the Ilkeston team went above and beyond to support Andrew from Kirk Hallam after his mobility scooter was stolen and dumped in a local stream. When staff noticed a local Facebook post reporting the theft, they recognised the model and were able to trace it back to a recent purchase from their Ilkeston store.
Lynne, Branch Manager at Ilkeston, explained that what happened was not Andrew’s fault and the team felt it was only right to do what they could to look after him. Although the original scooter could not be salvaged, they were delighted to provide an alternative and help restore his independence.
Excellence Recognised by Our Customers
Over at our Kingsmill store, the team received a year full of glowing Trustpilot reviews. Customers praised the tip top service provided by Kate in the shop and Ben, the engineer who delivered a rollator, with one reviewer saying they would highly recommend Premier Mobility Shop.
Another customer highlighted how pleasant, professional and patient the Kingsmill Hospital shop team were, describing their visit as a very positive experience with excellent products.
We could not agree more with the feedback the Kingsmill team has received and cannot wait to see what our customers have to say about them in 2026.
Making Meaningful Connections Locally
The Woodseats store has had a fantastic year expanding its customer base and strengthening its presence within the community. The team built close connections with Henleigh Hall Care Home and Sanford House Mental Health Clinic, with display stands at both locations, and developed a strong relationship with Pingley Court Care Home by helping residents find wheelchairs tailored to their individual needs.
They also donated hampers to Woodseats in Bloom and the Woodseats Christmas Festival. Maureen shared how rewarding it has been to build these relationships, explaining that care homes now come straight to her with any queries and work together to find solutions. Looking ahead, she is excited to explore new partnerships with local groups and organisations in the coming year.
Final well wishes from Joe
Finally, Joe Mobility Director, would like to round off 2025 with a few words of reflection and aspirations for the new year. “What a year it has been. This has officially been our biggest year of growth on the mobility side of the business, and we couldn’t have achieved it without our loyal customer base continuing to return. That loyalty is a true reflection of the exceptional service delivered every day by our store managers and teams.
There have been several key highlights throughout the year. The new fit outs in our Sheffield and Carlton stores have brought a fresh, modern look to both locations, alongside the introduction of care offices in each store. We were also proud to open a brand-new mobility store in Swadlincote, marking another exciting step in our expansion.
Looking ahead, we are focused on strengthening our operations even further. We will be making some central changes, including a new warehouse fit out. This will allow customers to visit the warehouse directly while also improving the level of support we provide to our stores.
Alongside this, we are continuing to refine our processes to make the service we offer even more efficient, seamless, and customer focused.
The year ahead is about building on strong foundations and continuing to improve how we support both our customers and our teams.”
