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Surrey Shopmobility Closes After 30 Years: 'Punch in the Face'
9 Jun
Summary
- Guildford's Shopmobility service will cease operations on Friday.
- Financial challenges and lack of council funding led to the closure.
- A petition with 1,500 signatures aims to keep the service running.
The Shopmobility service in Guildford, Surrey, which has operated for more than three decades, is scheduled to close its doors this Friday. Age UK Surrey, the operator, cited "significant financial challenges" and an absence of increased council funding as the reasons behind this "extremely difficult" decision.
Users of the service, including Shirlee Posner, have expressed deep dismay, calling the closure "a punch in the face." The service is crucial for wheelchair users and individuals with accessibility needs, enabling them to navigate town centres and shopping areas independently.
A petition to save the service has garnered over 1,500 signatures. Graham and Ruth House, who initiated the petition, emphasized its importance for their ability to access Guildford. They noted that the borough council is supportive and has ringfenced funds for a potential new scheme.
Age UK Surrey stated they were "no longer able to sustain a service that is operating at a deficit" but remain "optimistic" about its future under different management. The council confirmed its support for a charity that wishes to revive the service.
