North Walsham pensioners hit out at Flagship after lift hell

Vulnerable residents – all over the age of 65 - at Saxon Court retirement housing complex, in North Walsham, were left without lift access for seven days, meaning most couldn’t get down from their homes.

Desperate residents – many of whom use walkers, wheelchairs and scooters, and were unable to get down the building’s stairs – said it “caused absolute hell”.

READ MORE: Stranded in Saxon Court! Retirement home residents trapped in their homes for a WEEK

Residents of Saxon Court sheltered housing at North Walsham, who are stuck in their flats due to a broken lift. Left, Jill Thrower; top, Barry Snailum and Patricia Fuller; and bottom right flat, Patricia Smith with her carer and granddaughter, Sadie Page (Image: Denise Bradley)

A 98-year-old lady living on the top floor missed two doctors’ appointments - and one resident suffering with a heart condition feared paramedics wouldn’t be able to get her down if she needed to call an ambulance in an emergency.

Their housing provider Flagship repaired the lift on Wednesday afternoon after a week of complaints from residents.

One resident - who requested not to be named and first contacted this newspaper after claiming tenants' concerns were being ignored by Flagship – said they now want compensation in the form of rent rebates from the housing provider.

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Saxon Court, in North Walsham (Image: Denise Bradley)

“When the lift was fixed, I was getting hugs from residents who were crying and saying how relieved they were that it was finally done,” she said.

“They said the lift was out of service because the light had gone out and that they couldn’t get the part any earlier.

“It’s a load of nonsense and I find it all hard to believe.

“It was too late and the people living here suffered.

“We pay our rent weekly and feel we deserve a rent rebate for the last week.”

A Flagship spokesperson said: "We know that we have let our tenants down on this occasion.

"The lift was fully operational Wednesday afternoon, and all the tenants were updated. We’re very sorry for the delay, poor communication and the level of inconvenience caused to them."

Residents of Saxon Court sheltered housing at North Walsham, who are stuck in their flats due to a broken lift. Top flat, Barry Snailum and Patricia Fuller; and bottom flat, Patricia Smith with her carer and granddaughter, Sadie Page (Image: Denise Bradley)