Grant will keep Leamington on the map for disabled shoppers

[dutchman]

Funding has been secured for a Leamington charity that helps disabled people make the most of its town centre.


Mayor Alan Wilkinson and Mark Fletcher - Scheme Manager

Leamington Shopmobility, which provides and sells mobility scooters from its premises in the Royal Priors shopping centre, was faced with the loss of £15,000 from Warwick District Council after not making a bid under the new grants application system.

But Leamington Town Council has offered to make up the shortfall on top of the £7,000 it already contributes and examine how it operates and is funded.

Mayor Cllr Alan Wilkinson believes it is essential to ensure disabled people have access to the town’s shops, restaurants and tourist attractions.

Cllr Wilkinson (Lab, Leamington Brunswick) said: “If we lost Shopmobility it would be yet another tranche of people who would not be visiting Leamington.

“This shows the town recognises the importance of providing this service.”

According to the scheme’s manager Mark Fletcher, Leamington Shopmobility has 1,225 members who make around 2,500 trips a year, spending more than £100 per visit.

In exchange for £15-a-year membership, they receive use of electric scooters to help them around the town.

It has a turnover of around £30,000 a year, with income from donations selling mobility scooters and products from its premises in the Royal Priors shopping centre.

The streets of Leamington might seem relatively flat, but Mr Fletcher says the fact that it is large and slopes towards the river makes it hard to negotiate for disabled people or those with mobility problems.

He said Shopmobility’s members often treat shopping trips as days out, with more local people meeting friends for food and drink and those from further afield coming for the day and visiting many shops.

Mr Fletcher said it would be “a very positive statement” for groups such as Leamington Chamber of Trade to support shopmobility.

Chamber of Trade chairman Norman Stephens said: “Shopmobility is absolutely essential to our town and we believe the longevity of it should be secured on a sound business footing.”