'Elderly and disabled will be left housebound and isolated if service is scrapped,' says senior Wolverhampton councillor

Councillor Simon Bennett, leader of Wolverhampton Council's opposition Conservative group, said he had been contacted by a number of residents who were fearful of how they would cope if the Shop Mobility service was scrapped.

The service, which operates out of a shop unit in Temple Street, Wolverhampton, was identified in November as a possible target for closure as the council sought to cut the deficit in its finances.

Councillor Bennett accused the council of pushing 'troubling inaccuracies' to justify the decision.

But council leader Councillor Stephen Simkins said no decision had yet been taken, and insisted that all its users would have access to mobility equipment even if it did shut.

Councillor Bennett said since the proposals to shut the service had been announced, he had been contacted by a number of residents concerned about the 'profound impact' of the closure for those who relied on the service for mobility. 

"Shop Mobility is not just a service; it is a lifeline for the elderly and disabled members of our community who need access to essential services like banking, medical appointments, and shopping.," he said. 

"Without this service, many of these individuals would be left housebound and isolated, leading to detrimental effects on their mental health and overall wellbeing."

In a report presented to the council's cabinet, council chief executive Tim Johnson said the service had an average of 13 customers a week, and failed to cover its operating costs.

"Equipment is old and in need of replacement, there are currently 28 motorised wheelchairs that cost circa £8,000 each," he said.

Mr Johnson said closing the service would save the council £29,.000 a year.

But Councillor Bennett said he had spoken to a number of experts, including one who worked in the mobility industry for 20 years,.

"I have learned that this figure is not only inaccurate but also misleading," he said.

"The replacement cost of scooters is far lower, between £1,400 and £2,500 for the larger models.

"The inflated figure of £8,000 per scooter seems to be a clear misrepresentation of the actual costs involved, further undermining public trust in the decision-making process.

"Many customers of Shop Mobility have expressed outrage at the proposal, with some describing it as discriminatory and 'disgusting'.

"These customers, many of whom have limited mobility and rely on the service to participate in everyday activities, are rightfully concerned that the closure of Shop Mobility would exacerbate their isolation and hinder their independence."

He said the council had relocated the scheme without publicising it, and many mistakenly assumed it had closed following the coronavirus pandemic.

"While the service may have experienced a drop in users, it is clear that insufficient efforts have been made to promote its existence or its new location.

"If the council is genuinely committed to saving costs, reducing the service's operation from six days to four days would be a more sensible and less disruptive solution, coupled with better promotion through local publications such as the Express & Star."

 Councillor Simkins, who leads the council's ruling Labour group, said no decision had been taken on the future of Shop Mobility.

"However, we can assure all service users that they will still have access to mobility equipment despite any potential changes," he said. 

“ShopMobility currently has an average of 13 users a week. Each of those users will still have access to equipment at an adjacent location in the city centre, regardless of what decision is taken over its future.

“We understand how important this service is to all users and do not want anyone to be misled that they could be left without any access to mobility equipment.”