[Lifestyle] EXCLUSIVE: Pandemic fails to slow down Lifestyle and Mobility’s ambitions as it acquires Harlow Mobility

[_Happy boy]

 

 

Lifestyle and Mobility has completed its second acquisition of 2020, purchasing Harlow Mobility from former owner David Davison.

The acquisition takes Lifestyle and Mobility’s store tally up to five in the South East, including the use of an assessment centre that the company can use in collaboration with 360 Wheelchairs.

Offering a combination of lifestyle-orientated mobility aids and prescriptive solutions to meet complex needs, Lifestyle and Mobility is one of the mobility industry’s growing success stories.

The family-run retailer was founded in 2002 by Ron Sverdloff and is now managed by Managing Director Aaron Sverdloff and his engaged team, expanding its presence across the region.

In February 2020, Lifestyle and Mobility acquired Hearing Health and Mobility’s Bournemouth branch after it entered administration – just weeks before the first coronavirus lockdown in the spring.

Now, with history repeating itself, Lifestyle and Mobility has acquired Harlow Mobility, just days out from the upcoming, month-long lockdown.

Based in Essex, Harlow Mobility formerly traded as 1st Call Mobility prior to the eight-figure sale of its bariatric division in 2016 to Arjo. Following the sale, the remaining 1st Call Mobility showroom changed its name to Harlow Mobility and continued to operate from its shopping centre location.

Now, Harlow Mobility will join Lifestyle and Mobility’s growing portfolio.

Darren Macey, Business Development Manager for Lifestyle and Mobility, told THIIS that it will add new ranges such as active wheelchairs, complex powerchairs and Motability ranges to the Harlow branch.

“Harlow Mobility was a great fit for us, as we knew we could add our business model within theirs,” explained Darren.

“Adding our Motability accreditation is only going to do great things as we know this area hasn’t been tapped into that much which can only be a positive thing for us.”

The acquisition follows Lifestyle and Mobility’s earlier attempt to enter Harlow almost two years ago after finding a 7,500 sq ft site which it planned to turn into its flagship store.

“It’s been no secret that we’ve been wanting to get into Harlow for years now,” said Darren.

“We started the process of taking on a huge unit in Terminus Street. We battled through the lease over an eight-month period. It felt like there were barriers after barriers, including high amounts of asbestos. During this period, David Davison the former proprietor of 1st Call Mobility, put Harlow Mobility up for sale.

“We then approached David, which can you believe is almost two years ago now.  After some negotiations, we almost had a deal done but for one reason or another we decided to carry on proceeding forward with the Terminus Street site as we had already invested so much time and effort into.”

Eventually, Lifestyle and Mobility decided to pull out of the Terminus Street site, explained Darren.

“When something isn’t right, it’s just not right! At this time, however, David had also taken his business off the market,” he added.

“About two weeks ago, I was talking to Aaron on the phone about business. I don’t know why but I said to him shall I give David a call to see if he’s interested in selling. Sure enough, we had a great conversation and set up a meeting… two weeks later, the deal was done and we completed the deal on the 2nd November.”

To discover the full story of the acquisition, including Lifestyle and Mobility’s ambitions for the new branch, check out next month’s issue of THIIS – register for a copy to be delivered to your home, showroom, office or wherever you please, here.