The BS101 Curved Stairlift — An Installer's Honest Review

By Manchester Stairlifts · Updated 26 July 2026 · We fit this lift — new and reconditioned.

The BS101 — often listed as the Brooks BS101 — is the slimline British-built curved stairlift we fit more than any other. New, it starts from around £2,950 installed on a simple curve; reconditioned, it's one of the only curved lifts worth buying used. After hundreds of fittings across Greater Manchester, we'd give it 4.5 out of 5.

Key takeaways

• Sold across the UK as both the BS101 and the "Brooks BS101" — whichever name a dealer uses, it's the same slimline curved lift.
• New BS101: from £2,950 installed on simple curves (UK curved average is ~£5,500). Reconditioned: £1,395–£4,475 when stock matches your staircase.
• Its modular twin-tube rail is why it dominates the reconditioned curved market — rails can be re-engineered for a new staircase.
• Folds to 405mm — the curved lift we recommend most for narrow terraced stairs.
• Weight limit 19 stone (120kg); perch seat option for narrow flights or tall users.

BS101 or "Brooks BS101" — same lift

You'll see this lift advertised as both the BS101 and the "Brooks BS101" — dealers have used the two names interchangeably for years, and both refer to the same slimline British-built curved stairlift. Don't let the label distract you. What actually separates one BS101 quote from another is who surveys your staircase, who engineers the rail, and who answers the phone when it needs a service in year three. We fit and recondition BS101s from our own workshop in Ashton-under-Lyne, so you're dealing with the same local engineers from survey to aftercare.

What the BS101 is for

The BS101 is designed specifically for staircases with bends, intermediate landings or corridors — the layouts a straight stairlift physically can't handle. Its twin tubular rail is post-mounted and fixed to the stair treads (never your wall), can be fitted to either side of the staircase, and follows the curve closely so the lift hugs the stairs rather than swinging wide on bends. The carriage slows automatically on corners, and charging points at the top and bottom of the rail keep the 24v batteries topped up, so it runs even in a power cut.

In the homes we fit around Greater Manchester — Victorian terraces with a quarter-turn at the top, 1930s semis with a half-landing — this is the lift that goes in more often than any other curved model.

BS101 specifications and dimensions

Figures below are from the manufacturer's current brochure. Measurements are a guide and confirmed at your free home survey.

BS101 price: new vs reconditioned

A new BS101 starts from around £2,950 installed for a simple single-turn staircase through us, against a UK average of roughly £5,500 for a new curved lift. More turns and landings mean more rail, so complex layouts cost more — you'll get one fixed written price at the survey, and that's the price you pay.

The reconditioned story is what makes the BS101 unusual. Most curved rails are single custom extrusions that only ever fit the house they were made for. The BS101's modular twin-tube rail can be re-engineered — re-bent, shortened and re-jointed — to suit a different staircase, which is why it's the backbone of the UK reconditioned curved market. Through our own workshop, reconditioned curved stairlifts run from £1,395 to £4,475 fitted, depending on how closely stock matches your stairs. Either way you get the same 12-month parts and labour warranty and 24-hour callout as a new lift.

Installer's tip: national dealers list reconditioned BS101s from around £2,975. Because we recondition in our own workshop rather than reselling, we can usually beat that when a matching rail is in stock — it's always worth a phone call before you buy new.

BS101 vs Acorn 130: which one do you need?

This comes down to one question: do your stairs turn? The Acorn 130 is a straight-rail lift — excellent, cheaper, and fitted in 24–48 hours, but it cannot go around a bend. The BS101 exists precisely for the staircases the 130 can't handle.

Not sure which staircase category you fall into? Our curved stairlifts guide settles it in two minutes — or send us a photo of your stairs.

The installer's verdict — 4.5 / 5

After twenty-plus years fitting stairlifts across Greater Manchester, the BS101 is our default recommendation for curved staircases — and the only curved lift we're comfortable selling reconditioned with a straight face. It's slim, quiet, mechanically simple to maintain, and the parts supply is dependable.

What we like

• Slimmest fold-away of any curved lift we fit (405mm)
• Modular rail = genuine reconditioned option
• Automatic slowing on bends — smooth, quiet ride
• Tread-fixed rail: no wall damage, either side of stairs
• Perch seat and powered hinge options

What we'd change

• 120kg limit is below straight models (Acorn 130: 127kg)
• Styling is functional rather than pretty
• New rails still need 2–4 weeks' manufacture
• Dual naming ("BS101" / "Brooks BS101") confuses buyers comparing quotes

Frequently asked questions

Is the BS101 the same as the Brooks BS101?

Yes — many UK dealers advertise this lift as the "Brooks BS101", and the name has stuck. Whichever name appears in the listing, it's the same slimline British-built curved stairlift. What matters far more is who surveys your staircase, engineers the rail and services the lift afterwards.

How much does a BS101 stairlift cost?

A new BS101 starts from around £2,950 installed for a simple single-turn staircase in Greater Manchester, against a UK average of about £5,500 for curved lifts. Reconditioned BS101s range from £1,395 to £4,475 depending on how closely an existing rail matches your staircase. Every price is confirmed in writing after a free home survey.

Can you buy a reconditioned BS101?

Yes — the BS101 is one of the few curved stairlifts genuinely worth buying reconditioned. Its modular twin-tube rail can be re-engineered to suit a new staircase, which is rarely possible with single-extrusion curved rails. Availability depends on current stock and your staircase layout.

Is the BS101 suitable for narrow staircases?

Yes. With the seat, arms and footrest folded the BS101 takes up as little as 405mm of stair width, and a perch seat option is available for very narrow flights or taller users. It's the curved lift we recommend most often for narrow terraced staircases.

What is the weight limit on the BS101?

The BS101 carries up to 19 stone (120kg). If you need more capacity on a curved staircase, ask us about heavy-duty alternatives at your free survey.

How long does a BS101 take to install?

The lift itself fits in hours. For a new BS101 the custom rail is manufactured first, typically over 2–4 weeks. A reconditioned BS101 can often be re-engineered and fitted faster, subject to stock. Every installation includes a 12-month parts and labour warranty and access to our 24-hour callout line.