Otis Lift in Heelas (John Lewis), Reading

This is one of a bank 3 Otis lifts, 2 are for customer use, the third is staff only and can only be called with a key. The lifts serve floors G to 2 of the store. These lifts were modernised in 2005.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• John
• Lewis
• Reading
• Otis
• Heelas
• Lift
• Elevator
• Shop
• Shopping
• Store
• Schindler
• Kone
• UK
• Stannah
• Express
• Evans

[mrmattandmrchay]

I remember when the Otis lifts at the front of the shop were Express. They had large "GOING UP" and "GOING DOWN" signs above the doors.  And the arrival bells chimed at two second intervals whilst the lift was arriving and until the doors shut again. I was always afraid to ride in them! The scenic lifts at the back of the shop haven't changed much at all!

[leethomas84]

@mrmattandmrchay Except for the black buttons they are still the same. I'm sure the Milton Keynes John Lewis lifts used to have glass doors similar to the Reading ones, but might just be getting the 2 muddled. You don't happen to remember who made the lifts in the old Reading Debenhams (now demolished to build the Oracle) do you? I remember riding the lifts there in the early 90's but can't remember what they were.

[Markjuk]

Those glass lifts have been there since the store officially opened in 1985! 1984-1985 the "new part" of the store was gradualy opened but the atrium that contains the escalators and glass lifts were temporarily sectioned off behind a clear plastic sheeting wall. There are also goods lifts (that were used as passenger lifts) prior to the atrium opening. These were the kind where the outer door closed from top and bottom with a gate that came down inside (examples of similar are on here).

[leethomas84]

@Markjuk  Thanks for the info, I've always liked how Heelas opens out into the large "new" bit at the back, although from the outside I think this section is starting to look dated comapred to the Oracle across the road, and I think the glass lifts are a bit too slow considering how busy they can get at peak times.

Interesting to hear about the goods lifts, I've not seen many like that in the UK, do you know if they are still there?

[Matty6968]

@leethomas84 the glass lifts in the atrium have at last been updated with 2 new 2010 glass otis gen2's

[leethomas84]

@Matty6968 Cheers for the info. A shame to hear of the old lifts going, but Gen2's should be a lot quicker than the old lifts, much better for the 5 floors the lifts serve.

[drenahmeti22]

for halloween the staff lift was used as a type of "not so" scary lift for small children. i went on it,but i wasnt recording for yt at that time though :'(

[leethomas84]

Because until 2001 the store was known as Heelas, and still is to the majority of locals. The Heelas name is still visible in the brickwork outside the store. John Lewis have owned the store for many decades but only changed the name in 2001.

[Tecwhizz]

Why do you call it Heelas?

[LaptopMad777]

nice