Morrisons told Cwmbran Life on 2 October 2024 that work to repair the lift from its car park up to the town centre would start the following week.
The exact comment was: “The store is very aware of the issues with the lift and work is expected to start on repairing it next week.”
I should have spotted the heavy lifting given to “expected.”
The lift is an important route into and out of town for many people. Put yourselves in the shoes of someone in a wheelchair, with mobility issues, or pushing a pram.
The lift was installed to make it simple for shoppers to move to and from Morrisons, into and out of the town centre, with nice level access and avoiding the busy St David’s Road.
I asked the press office at Morrison for an update on 6 November 2024 as ‘the following week’ had passed and nothing seemed to be happening.
The following day I was told: “The team have confirmed that works have started.”
I did spot a lift repair van parked next to it around that time for a few hours.
Six months
Jump forward six months…On 26 June 2025, I contacted the press office again, saying the lift had not been repaired, meaning it was still an issue for wheelchair users, parents with prams and people with mobility problems.
📆30 June 2025 – I was told: “I will look into this for you.”
📆29 July 2025 – Still no reply, so I sent a follow-up email and received this apology the next day: “Apologies for the delay, we are looking into this with the team for you.”
📆13 August 2025- Still no reply, so again I contacted the press office.
📆15 August 2025- I received the reply: “Apologies for the delay, we are looking into this with the team for you.”
📆26 August 2025- Still no reply, so once again I asked for an update.
📆27 August – I was told: “Apologies for the delay, the team are looking into this and I will come back to you with an update when we know more.”
📆8 September 2025- Still no update, so I gave another polite nudge, saying it’d been over two months (Since 26 June 2025) from when I’d first asked for an update.
📆 17 September 2025- Still no update (and now getting close to three months), so once again, I emailed the press office.
📆19 September 2025. Drumroll 🥁🥁🥁🥁🥁🥁🥁🥁🥁🥁We have an answer…
The update
The press office told me: “We sincerely apologise for the delay in coming back to you with an update on this, it has been more complex than anticipated. On background, the new lift is currently in the design and planning stages and its likely to be early next year when it is replaced. The lift in the carpark next to shopping centre is out of order, however customers can still access Morrisons via the car park entrance.”
Soooo, it’s “likely” to be early next year, not definite, just likely. And the great news is for customers in wheelchairs, with prams, or mobility problems, is that Morrisons has reminded them that they can still get to their shop through the main car park entrance…so that’s all right then.