Vital mobility scooter loaning service closes due to loss of funding
Kirkcaldy Shopmobility in Scotland has announced that it will close this week, stating that the owners of the Mercat shopping centre where it resides will no longer be funding the charity’s store.
Running since 2014, Kirkcaldy Shopmobility helps people with restricted mobility get out and about by offering a loaning service of wheelchairs, powerchairs and mobility scooters.
However, the Mercat branch will now close on the 23rd of March.
For local residents still in need of the charity’s service, Kirkcaldy Shopmobility has its branch open in the Thistle Street car park, alongside two other Shopmobility branches in Dunfermline and Glenrothes.
Manager of Kirkcaldy Shopmobility Kath Robertson told Fife Today: “Over the previous five years we have received funding from the shopping centre owners, but that has not been approved this year so we are forced to reduce our costs.
“It’s an unfortunate situation but we will remain positive and keep things going. We want to make sure people know that we are still providing the service even though the unit is closing in the shopping centre.
“We have 20,000 uses in a year across our four services.
“It’s a vital service, as we link in with the Fife Council dial-a-ride service, who pick people up from their front door and bring them to us where they can collect equipment and access all town centre facilities.
“Some of these people would otherwise be isolated and unable to access shopping or leisure facilities.”
Recently, Shopmobility Shrewsbury, in Shropshire, announced that it will be closing its store in June 2019 due to a fall in demand and a lack of funding.
