Nuneaton store which has helped disabled shoppers for years faces closure 'in months'

[dutchman]

It is its 21st anniversary



A Nuneaton store which has helped disabled shoppers for years faces closure. That is according to the newly proclaimed Liberal Democrat councillor Rob Roze.

He spoke about the dire situation faced by Shopmobility, which is based on the ground floor of the Ropewalk multi-storey car park, at a full council meeting. The Bedworth representative claimed that the voluntary service faces closure 'within months'.

Back in 2023 CoventryLive reported the money given to Nuneaton and Bedworth Shopmobility, was being cut. But Cllr Roze said that the situation has now reached a critical point and asked the council what it was going to do to help the service now that it faces having to shut its doors.

"As all members may know by now this year is the 21st anniversary of Shopmobility Nuneaton, a voluntary service that has supported disabled and mobility impaired people to access our town centre," he said. "The charity now faces closure within months after its grant was withdrawn and with ongoing pressures from rent, rates and BID contributions.

"Can the cabinet member set out what this council's intentions are in relation to Shopmobilitgy, and whether any financial in-kind support will be provided to ensure the service can continue?"

Cllr Nicky King, cabinet member for business and regeneration, explained that the decision in February 2023 to stop the funding was made when the Conservatives were in power. This represented 50 per cent of the funding paid to the service for 2023/24.

Cllr King listed the reasons in a report why the decision was made and said that impact assessment from Shopmobility revealed that there was a lack of accurate and timely data from the service to allow an assessment for 'value for money' and a fall in user numbers.

"Over reliance on NBBC as the sole funder with little evidence of any activity to raise funds from any other external body or fund-raising activities," she said. "A lack of review of service provision or inclusion of additional activities to ensure value for money."

She added the report concluded: "While we recognise that the service provided over the years by Shopmobility, restraints can no longer justify the continued funding by the authority." Cllr King made no mention of Labour reversing this decision.

Cllr Roze added that the service pays rent to the council and the conditions are 'really dreadful'. He claimed that they do not have cold water or light in the toilet and have a piece of string to flush the toilet.

"They are paying to the borough council, my question is, can we please, please try to help this very important charity." There was no response to this made at the meeting.