Shopping centre strengthens commitment to accessibility with Shopmobility relaunch and extensive new fleet
Located at Livingston’s major shopping mall The Centre, Lothian Shopmobility has been rebranded to the Mobility Shop and now has 12 new mobility scooters, two powerchairs and 10 manual wheelchairs for shoppers to use free of charge.
Opened on the 16th May by local MSP Angela Constance cutting the ribbon with Centre Director Patrick Robbertze, the mall’s new Mobility Shop has been completely renovated with a fresh new modern interior.
The Centre says the investment reinstates its ongoing commitment to providing a fully inclusive shopping environment with an outstanding level of service and support for people with disabilities and limited mobility.
The equipment can now be hired seven days a week from 10am till 5pm for a small donation, which is reinvested back into the service.
The Centre, which has over 150 shops and 20 eateries all on one level, has been designed to be as accessible as possible, with over 117 disabled parking spaces located on ground level next to the Mobility Shop.
Additional features within the mall include a wheelchair accessible photo booth, designed to support people with a range of disabilities and a Changing Places Toilet.
The photo booth has specially selected graphics and text which allows people who are visually impaired to use the machine. It also uses audio messages and pictograms to help those with certain sensory disabilities.
For people who have difficulty using a standard accessible toilet, including those with profound and multiple learning difficulties, motor neurone disease, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy as well as older people, the Changing Places Toilet is designed to have more space as well as height adjustable, adult-sized changing benches and a hoist.
Patrick Robbertze, Centre Director at The Centre, Livingston said: “We are absolutely delighted to officially launch our new Mobility Shop today at The Centre, Livingston, with local MSP Angela Constance.
“We’re very proud of the work that’s been done to ensure that people with disabilities and limited mobility who visit our wide variety of shops and restaurants, can shop and use our facilities independently and in the easiest way possible.”
The new Mobility Shop will also provide a free service for parents, carers and grandparents to hire children’s buggies which, adding to its family-friendly toilets and changing facilities in male and female toilets, and 90 family parking bays, enhances The Centre’s focus to make visiting the mall an enjoyable experience for everyone.
MSP Angela Constance said: “I very much welcome this new improved service and thank The Centre management for working with service users to ensure those who need a little extra help to do their shopping can access it.
“The shopping centre is an important attraction to local people and beyond and it’s good news that they are increasing their support to shoppers with a disability or young children.”
https://thiis.co.uk/shopping-centre-strengthens-commitment-to-accessibility-with-shopmobility-relaunch-and-extensive-new-fleet/https://thiis.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/TheCentreMobility-1.jpghttps://thiis.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/TheCentreMobility-1-150x150.jpgNewsroomRetailer NewsThird SectorAccessibility,changing places,Livingston,Lothian Shopmobility,mobility shop,MSP Angela Constance,phot booth,The CentreLocated at Livingston’s major shopping mall The Centre, Lothian Shopmobility has been rebranded to the Mobility Shop and now has 12 new mobility scooters, two powerchairs and 10 manual wheelchairs for shoppers to use free of charge. Opened on the 16th May by local MSP Angela Constance cutting the ribbon...Calvin BarnettCalvin Barnettcalvin.barnett@bhta.comAuthorTHIIS Magazine