A service which provides shoppers with access to electric scooters, wheelchairs and more has relaunched in Sheffield, offering disabled people a variety of ways to get around.
Sheffield BID (Business Improvement District) is a non-profit business-led partnership working to support a cleaner, safer and more vibrant city centre that is accessible and inclusive to all.
The Mobile Sheffield service was originally launched in 2017 as a partnership between them and Sheffield City Council. It was operated by a mobility company at The Moor Market but shut down down as a result of the pandemic.
However it has now been restarted with a new base, moving to BID’s Surrey Street location next to The Winter Gardens. The scheme offers reliable products to ensure people with walking difficulties or disabilities can access shops and local amenities. No blue badge is needed. Equipment, which must be booked in advance and which ranges from powered transport to manual rollators, can be hired by anyone with mobility issues, whether due to age, disability or injury.
The relaunch is the first step to rejuvenating Mobile Sheffield which also includes a personal concierge service and meet and greet options. The scheme will be developed further with other accessibility partners invited to help shape the service to visitors over the coming months.
Diane Jarvis, Head of Business Operations at Sheffield BID, said: “One of Sheffield BID’s aims is to help improve accessibility in the city centre. Bringing this scheme back to life is an important step in developing a disability-friendly city. It also demonstrates the city centre’s commitment to being inclusive. We want to ensure that access is not an issue and that everyone can enjoy what the city centre has to offer. Safeguarding the earlier Mobile Sheffield scheme is important to ensure the city centre has a mobility hire service in place.”
Councillor Douglas Johnson, Executive Member for Climate Change, Environment and Transport, said: “It’s really important that everyone using the city centre is able to access all of the services and amenities available, but we do recognise that some areas have always posed challenges for people with limited mobility. As a council we’re committed to improving travel and accessibility in the city centre and making it as easy as possible for people to move around, whether this is through pedestrianising busy areas or simplifying routes so people can make easier, quicker journeys. Mobile Sheffield offers an opportunity to start up a new Shopmobility service that will support people to feel more confident in visiting the city centre.”
The service is available from Monday to Saturday from 10am to 5pm and on Sundays from 11am to 4pm. It is based at Unit 1, Surrey Street, Sheffield S1 2LH. You can telephone the service on 0114 339 2015 or email it through info@mobilesheffield.co.uk
