A shopping centre in Kidderminster has apologised following the lengthy problems with its escalator. 

Elderly residents had voiced their concerns over the broken escalator in the Swan Centre which was out of operation for almost a year. 

One resident said it had caused "great difficulty" to pedestrians, especially disabled and elderly customers. 

The Swan Centre has now apologised for any inconvenience and said it had been "all too conscious" of the difficulties the escalator had caused visitors. 

Staff have also given important context on the reason for the "regrettable" and "considerable" delay in repairing the escalator. 

Swan Centre manager Rob Jones said: "During September 2023, the Swan Centre invested a significant amount of money to have the moving mechanical parts of the on-site escalator either replaced, serviced or updated. 

"As part of this project, and taking into account the age of the escalator, we sought technical advice in relation to the wiring and inbuilt safety systems associated with the operation of the escalator. 

"Shortly after this work was completed, a fault developed on the control panel and motherboard, so for safety reasons, the escalator was taken out of operation."

The centre said a number of companies visited the site to provide quotes for the repair as well as a complete re-wire of the escalator. 

A company was chosen, but the centre then faced another challenge of finding obsolete parts to get the work completed. 

Mr Jones added: "This involved trying to source parts both nationally and internationally to no avail. Eventually, we found a company that could fabricate the required technical and safety parts, but this was a bespoke project that would inevitably take time to complete. 

"This unfortunate delay undoubtedly caused visiting customers to the Swan Centre some considerable and regrettable inconvenience, but I'm pleased to say the escalator has been fully repaired, updated and is in full operation once again."