Shopmobility scheme hailed a hit

A Staffordshire Shopmobility service for disabled shoppers and those suffering mobility problems has been hailed a success after its first month.

Cannock Chase Council launched its scheme, in partnership with Shire Travel International and Disabled Aids, at the end of February. The service offers people with mobility problems the opportunity to hire motorised scooters or wheelchairs from 50p an hour Monday to Saturday, enabling them to shop in Cannock, Hednesford or Rugeley.

In the first month 40 people have already registered as members, with several hiring scooters and wheelchairs two or three times a week to help them with their shopping.

The pre-booking service is proving popular, enabling shoppers to pre book a day and time to suit them.

The service is based at Shire Travel International, in Cannock Shopping Centre, where a motorised scooter or wheelchair can be hired or pre-booked.

Shire Travel offer a meet and greet service for Hednesford and Rugeley town centres, making all three town centres accessible to those with mobility problems, through illness, accident, injuries or disability.

The meet-and-greet service for Hednesford and Rugeley requires users to register as a member of the service with Shire Travel, then pre-book the service at a time and date to suit them.

Shire Travel will meet the customer at either Bees Lane, Rugeley, or outside the library in Hednesford to deliver the scooter or wheelchair. Robert Garrington from Shire Travel International said: "The response so far has been very positive and hopefully it will become even more popular."

Cannock Chase Shopmobility is currently a six-month pilot scheme. For more information contact Shire Travel on 01543 469777 or contact Cannock Chase Council on 01543 462621.