Business
New Whittlesey shop began life as a market stall
Couple who opened a new shop in Whittlesey began working from home, then started a stall on the Friday Whittlesey Market.
A new business has been launched in Whittlesey, the seeds for which were first sown when owner Sean Ruggles helped his father look for a mobility scooter four years ago. Sean later went on to begin importing and supplying mobility scooters before taking the plunge and trading from Whittlesey market until last Saturday when he opened a shop in the town.
He was supported by town councillor Simon Black who said he wished Sean and his partner Heidi “the very best of success” in their new venture.
“I met with our mayor Cllr Kay Mayor to oversee the opening and to wish Heide and Sean well in their new business,” he said.
Sean described how it all began.
“Around 2019 my father’s mobility was impacted by his arthritis, which lead to him getting his first mobility scooter, a small second-hand scooter that split down to be put in a car.
“He wasn’t too keen on using it as he felt he wasn’t old and in need of a mobility scooter not that his body agreed but when out on his travels one day a mobility scooter caught his eye it was different, more modern looking it brought back memories of his motorbike days and his later years where he used to hire scooters whilst visiting various Greek islands.
“So, his search was on for a modern looking scooter, when he found the one he liked he spoke about it with excitement in his voice and the way he face lite up when riding it spoke more than any words.
“The pleasure this scooter bought into his life is what first inspired us to supplying this modern style of scooters. It took us a while to research and then procure our first shipment, this was also impacted by the production limitations that the world was encountering from Covid.
“Our first shipment arrived in August 2021. We then had quite a few months of testing by an independent laboratory to ensure the scooters were compliant with legislation. Once this was finally completed and the scooters were now certified, we officially started the business.
“Initially we had a website built www.beegreenbemobile.co.uk to sell online which soon lead to advertising on Facebook, which then progressed due to word of mouth from our customers to others.
“We then started a stall on the Friday Whittlesey Market, which brought to our attention more needs then we had first thought about, not everyone wanted or could afford these modern scooters this also then lead to offering servicing and repairs to other scooters not just ones we had sold and also, we started to rebuilding pre owned scooters and start selling them.
Sean and Heidi welcome the Mayor of Whittlesey, Cllr Kay Mayor, to their new mobility scooter shop in Broad Street
“As well as this, our second shipment had been procured and delivered. The business continued to grow and from listening to people’s needs we realised there was still something missing, we are now pleased to announce that we have evolved further and opened our shop in Broad Street.”
He added: “This now gives us the opportunity to provide residents of Whittlesey with easy access to mobility aids, yes, we are now doing more than just mobility scooters.
“Whether it is from rubber cane tips, eating aids, crutches, walking frames right through to the latest modern scooters (as well as second hand and refurbished models), we have stock that is continuing to grow. If we don’t have it, chances are we can get it.
“As we get to know our local townsfolk needs, we aim to stock the regularly needed items, hopefully this will give our customers the convenience of being able to get the item they require, without having to wait for it to be delivered or travel to fetch it.
“Please pop in and say hello and see what we have to offer, we also have a mobile ramp, to allow those with mobility issues access to the shop.”
