A mobility scooter service which pensioners called a “lifeline” for them is to close in a Welsh city centre due to lack of funding. Shopmobility in Newport, a charity providing scooters for people for £3 a day, is to close on Friday, November 17 after years struggling for cash.
Newport council funded the charity, which was founded in 1989, for years before announcing it would pull its funding gradually in 2016. The funding stopped at the end of the financial year in 2021, although Shopmobility was propped up again with £10,000 from the council to pay its rent at its Upper Dock Street base this year.
The charity has since relied on huge donations which have dried up in recent months, while Newport council has told the charity it will be providing no financial support in 2024. Earlier this year Newport council announced plans to cut many services, reduce bin collections and increase council tax prices, similarly to many other councils in Wales, citing financial difficulties. The council faces a predicted nearly £27m shortfall by 2025/26. For the latest Newport news, sign up to our newsletter here.
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Shopmobility trustee Peter Wivell said the council had made it clear for “a long while” that it wouldn’t be supporting Shopmobility financially in future. After a sign informing service users of the pending closure, Mr Wivell said the decision for Shopmobility to close “hasn’t been taken lightly” and is “solely a financial decision because we’ve got no money left to go any further."
The news comes as a devastating blow for some of the city’s elderly and disabled, some of whom have spoken to WalesOnline about how much the charity has meant to them. Sitting on her scooter in the city’s Commercial Street, 73-year-old Susan Williams, who is disabled with spinal issues, said: “I rely on it. I get here by taxi two to three times a week, I pay my £3 and I have my scooter for the day until 3pm in the afternoon. It’s what I’ve always done.
“The council have said they’re not going to fund them so they’re closing down. What does that mean for footfall in Newport? Disabled people like me won’t come. There is no way I could walk around the city centre, I’d be stopping every 20 yards.
“When I heard it last week I thought it was disgusting. I don’t think it’s fair. It’s hard enough for pensioners as it is but I won’t be able to come to Newport to shop anymore after this place closes. We need the council to step in and support a charity that is vital for so many people.”
A spokesperson for Newport council told WalesOnline the council has tried to work with the charity previously to find a "sustainable model". "Shopmobility Newport has been aware for a number of years of the council’s intention to reduce funding and it has been offered support to enable it to develop a more sustainable model," they said.
"In 2016 the council agreed a phased reduction in discretionary grants to voluntary sector organisations and discussions were held with the organisations in relation to this objective. In this year’s budget, as part of the phased approach to reduce funding, it was agreed to reduce Shopmobility’s grant from £17,000 to £10,000. This was again accompanied by an offer to support the organisation with advice and guidance to develop a more sustainable business model, identify other sources of funding and to move away from the reliance on public sector grants."
Thelma Keohane, a 73-year-old retired postmaster who visits the city centre once a week and has to use a scooter, said: “They’re not thinking about disabled people. If they close this I won’t be coming to town because I can’t walk very far because I’ve got rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.
"Since my husband died my life revolves around taxis and coming here to get a scooter, which is the only way I can get around. Even more shops will close if this closes.”
