Platinum Stairlifts

Platinum Stairlifts is a British manufacturer based in Keighley, West Yorkshire, where it has been building stairlifts since 1996. Unlike the household names that advertise directly to the public, Platinum works entirely through the trade: its lifts are sold, installed and serviced by a network of authorised dealers, known as Platinum Partners, across the UK and in more than 40 countries. For buyers, the model is straightforward: Platinum builds the lift to your staircase measurements, and an approved local firm fits and looks after it.

The Platinum range

Platinum’s current line-up is the ergo family, all custom-built and all rated to carry up to 25 stone (160kg).

• ergo Straight: the straight-staircase model, with adjustable arms, backrest and footrest, space-saving rail options and an outdoor version for external steps.
• ergo Curve: the curved model, using a traditional twin-rail design for staircases with corners, turns or intermediate landings.
• ergo Ultimate: a single-tube curved lift, patented by Platinum, that can handle steep, narrow and tightly curved staircases. It offers first-step start and forward-facing travel options, and Platinum states it is the only single-tube rail on the market rated to 25 stone.

The earlier Horizon straight lift, its heavy-duty Horizon Plus variant and the original Platinum Curve remain common in UK homes and on the reconditioned market, and parts for them are still widely stocked. Across the range, rails are fixed to the stair treads and never to the wall, so installation causes no structural damage and works with carpeted, tiled or wooden stairs.

Build quality and reliability

Everything is manufactured in Yorkshire, and the company holds ISO 9001 quality, ISO 14001 environmental and ISO 45001 health and safety certifications for its operations. Because Platinum supplies professional installers rather than end customers, its reputation rests on how the lifts behave in the field, and trade feedback highlights build consistency and fast turnaround on custom rails. The Horizon in particular earned a reputation as a dependable workhorse, one reason so many survive as reconditioned units.

Warranty and servicing

New Platinum stairlifts normally come with a 12-month warranty covering parts, call-outs and labour, provided through the installing dealer, with extended warranties available at purchase or when the first year ends. Servicing follows the same route: your local Platinum Partner carries out annual maintenance and repairs. Spare parts are also available through independent suppliers, so older Horizon and Curve models remain easy to keep running even if the original installer has gone. Get the warranty and service terms in writing, including call-out arrangements, before you sign.

New or reconditioned

Straight Platinum lifts, especially the Horizon, are a familiar sight on the UK reconditioned market and refurbish well, since straight rails can be cut to length for a new staircase. Curved models are harder to source second-hand because each twin rail is made for one specific staircase. The ergo range is newer, so reconditioned examples are fewer for now. A reconditioned lift from a reputable dealer should include new batteries, replaced wear parts and its own 12-month parts and labour warranty. Prices vary by staircase, so weigh both options against your likely length of use.

How Platinum compares

The obvious difference from Stannah and Acorn is the buying route. Those brands sell direct with national sales teams, while Platinum reaches you through an independent local installer, which many buyers prefer for aftercare and find less pressured at quote stage. On product, the ergo Ultimate competes at the technical end of the curved market alongside single-tube designs such as Otolift’s Modul-Air, and the 25 stone capacity across the range is higher than many rivals’ standard models. The caveat: the installer shapes much of your experience, so research the local firm as carefully as the manufacturer.

At a glance

• British manufacturer based in Keighley, West Yorkshire, established 1996
• Current range: ergo Straight, ergo Curve and ergo Ultimate, all rated to 25 stone (160kg)
• Earlier Horizon, Horizon Plus and Curve models still widely serviced and sold reconditioned
• Rails fix to the stair treads, never the wall; outdoor straight option available
• Sold only through authorised Platinum Partner dealers in the UK and 40+ countries
• ISO 9001, 14001 and 45001 certified; 12-month standard warranty with extensions available

Frequently asked questions

Where can I buy a Platinum stairlift?

Platinum does not sell to the public. Its lifts are supplied and installed by authorised dealers across the UK, so you either contact Platinum for a referral to a local partner or ask installers in your area whether they fit Platinum machines. Many do without leading with the brand name.

Is Platinum better than Stannah or Acorn?

They are built to a comparable standard but sold differently. Stannah and Acorn sell direct with national teams, while Platinum works through local independents, which often means more personal aftercare. The ergo Ultimate handles steep, narrow curved staircases that defeat some rival systems, and the 25 stone rating beats many standard models.

Do Platinum stairlifts qualify for VAT relief?

Yes. If the lift is for someone who is chronically sick or disabled, the purchase and installation are zero-rated for VAT. Your installing dealer will ask you to complete a brief eligibility declaration, and the relief also applies to reconditioned Platinum lifts.

Do Platinum stairlifts suit heavier users?

Yes, this is one of the brand’s strengths. The whole ergo range carries up to 25 stone (160kg) as standard, including the single-tube ergo Ultimate, and the earlier Horizon Plus was built specifically as a heavy-duty straight lift.

Can a Platinum stairlift be fitted outdoors?

The ergo Straight is available in an outdoor version with weather protection for external steps. Outdoor models are surveyed and installed by the same dealer network as indoor lifts.