The service, which rents a range of equipment, has seen a significant drop in users since the Covid-19 pandemic, with an average of just 13 customers a week over the past few years.
This fall in users means the service has become too costly to operate without significantly raising hire charges for customers.
As a result, the City of Wolverhampton Council has taken the decision to close ShopMobility and donate equipment including motorised scooters and wheelchairs as well as manual wheelchairs to existing users.
Equipment will also be offered to military veterans via local charity The Staffordshire Regiment Association (Wolverhampton) and any further items will be used by the council’s Adult Social Care service.
Existing ShopMobility customers are also reassured that if they prefer not to receive the equipment, there are a number of other premises offering mobility aids for hire within the city centre.
Before making the decision to close the service, the council carried out an equalities impact assessment (EIA) and a consultation with users. Customers said they used the service to access the city centre for shopping, banking or other appointments.
The EIA found that by giving equipment to service users, they would still have the necessary mobility aids to continue to access the city centre, but they would not be confined to certain times or locations.
At present the ShopMobility service only operates between 9.30am and 2.30pm, with the last hire no later than 1.30pm. Customers are only permitted to use the ShopMobility motorised equipment within the city centre ring road.
Giving equipment to users means they can continue to access the city centre via Ring and Ride or taxis and will have more choice about the times they visit and the locations they can travel to.
If people would rather not receive the ShopMobility equipment, they can use other private rental providers based in the city. These providers offer daily hire of equipment, low-cost repayment plans and/or are part of national mobility schemes.
Councillor Bhupinder Gakhal, Cabinet Member for Resident Services, said: “The decision to close ShopMobility is not one that the council has taken lightly – but taking it means that we can donate vital equipment to our residents.
“With increasing pressures on council budgets, we have to be realistic and unfortunately the service has not been well-used for a number of years. This is despite our efforts to promote it via a number of methods including direct contact with users and advertising to care homes and supported living organisations.
“Our other option was to significantly increase our fees and charges, but this would have a real impact on customers and be likely to further reduce the already low number of users.
“The equalities impact assessment showed us that by offering the equipment to those who would benefit, people will have more flexibility in the times and places that they can use the wheelchairs and scooters. We hope this option will help residents to continue to enjoy their visits into Wolverhampton.”
ShopMobility is set to close over a three-month period, which will begin today. During this time, arrangements will be made for users and veterans to be given equipment and information and signposting to other provision will also be provided.
