Archived press release

Date Published: 21/09/07

Making the most of shops in the heart of Buckingham will become easier when a new Shopmobility scheme opens in the town on 25 September. The Shopmobility scheme will provide free loan of mobility scooters and powered and manual wheelchairs to peo...

Making the most of shops in the heart of Buckingham will become easier when a new Shopmobility scheme opens in the town on 25 September.

The Shopmobility scheme will provide free loan of mobility scooters and powered and manual wheelchairs to people with mobility difficulties.

The service is being backed by Aylesbury Vale District Council, which has provided funding and a base for the scheme at the Cornwalls Meadow car park. The facility will be open from 9.30am until 3.30pm every Tuesday (market day) and from 9am until 1pm every Saturday.

The scheme is available to anyone who has a mobility problem. This could be due to a permanent disability or as a result of a temporary injury such as a sports injury.

AVDC decided to expand its Shopmobility service following the success of the scheme in Aylesbury town centre. The free service, which began in 1997, currently has more than 1,000 users on its books and recently won a national award for providing excellence in customer service.

Councillor Pam Pearce, Cabinet Member for Community Matters, said: “I am very pleased that the council has been able to expand the Shopmobility service outside of Aylesbury. I am sure this will prove very beneficial for shoppers and visitors to Buckingham.”

Councillor Howard Mordue, Mayor of Buckingham, said: “I was impressed by the operation of Shopmobility in Aylesbury and am very pleased that AVDC has extended the scheme to Buckingham. If this scheme makes it a little easier for anyone with a disability, whether permanent or temporary to get about, then it is money well spent.”

For further details, please call the Shopmobility team on 01296 336725 or email shopmobility@aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk