A family-run mobility company officially opened its doors to their first shop on Monday evening.

Staff at Elias Care welcomed guests and their customers to their pre-launch event to have a sneak preview of the new store along Epping High Street.

The business has been based above Next for over eight years began selling mobility products from Tuesday, March 26.

Registered manager and founder of Elias Care, Jennifer Biggins, from Epping, set up the company after taking sabbatical leave to care for her terminally ill father.

She said: “It’s the icing on the cake for me, we buy equipment for our clients all the time and now we can offer it to them within the community.

“We opened our business because our whole ethos is to try and maintain as much independence as possible and we thought a shop has got to be the next step.”

Ms Biggins mother was given the honour cutting the ribbon to the store at the last minute of after the Epping Town Mayor was unable to attend.

Alongside providing a bespoke care service, the company will sell puzzles for dementia patients, mobility scooters and more to existing and new customers.

The new store also has a special area to hold group meetings for residents to discuss their experience of caring or suffering with dementia, Parkinson’s and strokes.

Business development assistant, Isabel Harvey, will be working in the company’s new facility.

She said: “We have the ability provide the care and essential things for living before they reach the point they need care so we can support them through their journey.”

People can come in and ask about the care industry here because there is not much access to it and its quite difficult to understand.”

A suggestions box will also be on display for customers to give recommendations for products to be sold for patients and carers.

Alongside drinks and canapes for guests, a charity raffle was also organised for the event where all donations was given to St Clare Hospice.

Elias Care are also seeking staff to help run the new store open from Monday to Saturday, to register your interest, email info@elaiscare or call 01992 560099.