Shopmobility rolling into Llanelli

IT’S planned to get Shopmobility’s wheels moving soon in Llanelli.

After 10 years of trying, Llanelli Shopmobility opens up at 16 Cowell Street on April 2.

Shopmobility is a scheme which hires manual wheelchairs, powered wheelchairs and powered scooters to members of the public of all ages with limited mobility to shop and to visit leisure and commercial facilities within town centres.

Carmarthenshire Council have guaranteed £30,000 for each of the first three years thanks to the support of a Welsh Government transport grant.

Chairman of Llanelli Shopmobility Roy Coslett said: “I have been involved for more than a decade and accede it has been a long time coming and is a service that desperately needed in Llanelli.

“We have the benefit of having a Llanelli company, LTC , helping to deliver the Llanelli operation which will be a tremendous advantage because of their knowledge of mobility issues in Llanelli.

“Other authorities and organisations have pledged to support us now that we have achieved c

haritable status.”

LTC company secretary Louise Davies said: “We delighted to be involved and have got the signs up on the building already so this is no false start. This time Shopmobility will be delivered.”

County head of transport and engineering Stephen Piliner said: “The Council has provided financial support to enable the scheme to get of the ground. We have supported a similar scheme in Carmarthen and it has encouraged a whole new range of shoppers and visitors to the town.”

Mr Coslett said he was confident the six scooters they would initially be offering would have regular usage from a membership of about 100.

He said: “We will adapt and hope to have larger scooters tailored to suit demand once we have got up and running.”