Shopmobility Wrexham expands services with Saturday opening trial

Wrexham’s Shopmobility is trialing Saturday opening hours once a month to help meet the growing demand for its services.

The facility, based in the Wrexham Bus Station, saw 433 scooter hires between May-September 2023 on two days opening and up to 704 between October 2023 and February 2024.

Last year Shopmobility Wrexham, which is operated by AVOW, gained 41 new members and in 2023/2024 they have so far gained 53 new members.

The service has already increased its opening from two days a week to five to help meet the growing demand.

It recently announced a trial of opening one Saturday a month, which will coincide with city centre events like the Artisan Market.

This new service requires booking in advance to ensure a scooter, and isn’t yet available to drop-ins.

However there are hopes that if the trial is successful funding will be secured to open every Saturday.

Earlier this month Shopmobility Wrexham invited Councillor Mark Pritchard, Leader of Wrexham Council and Councillor Nigel Williams, Lead Member for Economy and Regeneration to join them to celebrate the launch of the trial.

During the visit the councillors met with Dawn Roberts-McCabe (Chief Officer, AVOW), Pete Howell (Chair of Trustees, AVOW), and David McDonald (Shopmobility Manager).

David spoke about the ways in which they are raising the profile of Shopmobility even further – being involved in Shopmobility Roadshows where they take the scooters to clubs and organisations to try to break down the stigma and barriers to renting scooters.

He also highlighted the various types of scooters for all types of needs, from scooters that collapse down into the boot, to the bigger scooters that Shopmobility has available. David also showed the new disability pushchairs that Shopmobility has available.

The councillors spoke at length with Dawn Roberts-McCabe, Pete Howell, and David McDonald, speaking about the challenges and joys of operating the Shopmobility service.

They spoke about ideas for the future, and how David is in conversation with event organisers to find a way to provide mobility scooters for events such as Focus Wales, and the Armistice Day.

Speaking after the visit,Dawn Roberts-McCabe said: “We at AVOW are very proud of everything that Shopmobility, and David and his team has achieved.”