Man who lives above shopping centre 'imprisoned' in his own flat
A disabled man says he has been 'imprisoned' in his own home for almost a week due to a broken lift.
Hesham Gharib says the lift up to his flat at Mazarin House, above The Rock shopping centre in Bury, broke down last Friday (May 5).
It is the second time in just over a month it has broken. On the last occasion in early April, the 59-year-old was left stranded in his fourth floor flat for two weeks, reports the MEN.
"I couldn't go out at all," said Mr Gharib, also known as Sam. "I was really distressed and on my own, not talking to anyone.
"I felt like I was trapped in my own home. No one can see me and I can't see any of my friends."
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Mr Gharib, who is paralysed in his right leg and requires the use of a mobility scooter, said he and other residents were told the lift had been fixed on April 17. However, it broke again last week.
It is the second time in just over a month (Hesham Gharib)Residential Management Group (RMG) - which manages the block of flats - said the parts needed to repair the lift are due on Friday.
But in the meantime, Mr Gharib - who lives on his own - said he has been struggling to carry out day to day activities and has missed a number of urgent appointments.
"I'm imprisoned inside my flat," he explained. "I'm really struggling with the whole situation.
"I'm not eating healthily. I've been getting a grocery shop from my friend but I can't keep asking people for favours.
"I can't speak to anyone or do day to day activities. I missed the coronation celebrations - something that will never happen again in my lifetime. I feel hopeless."
Mr Gharib, a computer engineer, is also concerned about his safety in the event of a fire, claiming he would be unable to make it out of the building. However, RMG say the building has a 'stay put policy', meaning people are safer to remain in their homes if there is a fire.
"It's dangerous," he said. "If there's a fire, I will be dead. No question whatsoever.
"There is no way I can roll my body over 126 steps. In a building like this with 86 different flats, we should have an emergency lift. It doesn't make sense."
The Rock shopping centre in Bury (MEN Media)A spokesperson for Residential Management Group said: "We sympathise with Mr Gharib’s position and assure him that we are doing everything possible in order to get the lift back operational as quickly as possible.
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"To ensure that we minimise disruptions of this nature we have fully comprehensive contract in place with a national service provider, this contract includes quarterly servicing of the lifts.
"The current issue was notified to RMG on 5 May 2023, and was attended to on the same day, it is unfortunately sometimes the case that repairs require parts that are not always readily available and need to be ordered, which leads to delays in getting the lift repaired. The parts are due by 12 May 2023.
"In respect of fire safety, the building is assessed annually by NSI qualified Risk Assessors, who, in line with the fire strategy, have determined that the building has a stay put policy.
"This means that you are safer to stay in the property in the event of a fire. The lifts are also not to be used in the event of a fire. This building has a Premises Information Box, which contains Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans for any persons needing specific assistance in the building, this includes details for Mr Gharib.
"We do sympathise with Mr Gharib and we are working hard to ensure this issue addressed as quickly as possible. We would encourage all residents to continue to engage with our 24/7 Customer Service Centre on all matters. "
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