Despite the 1st of April date we are sorry to say that this post is not a hoax.

We have been faced with a number of difficult decisions to make to continue to provide Birmingham Shopmobility in a difficult funding climate.

We have been able to secure funding from Birmingham City Council which will enable us to deliver the shopmobility service from our Bullring shopmobility. (see seperate page for details). The Snow Hill based service has been temporarily suspended until we can organise some additional volunteer support. We hope this suspension won’t be for too long. 

Additionally we have reluctantly decided to follow the example of most of our Shopmobility neighbours and introduce charges to use our equipment. Using other scheme’s ideas and in discussion with some of our regular customers we have designed a 3 tier system.

‘FRIEND OF SHOPMOBILITY’ 

Members agree to pay us a variable sum over £5 each month by Standing order or a single cash payment of £60 or more. This enables them to use the scheme as often as they wish without paying any additional charges.

‘ANNUAL MEMBER’

A £12 annual membership charge is made together with a £1 hire fee paid on each visit.

‘VISITOR MEMBER’

Aimed at the occasional visitor who needs assistance for the day or for a short period, perhaps due to an injury, this facility requires a payment of £3.00 for each visit. 

Although this is an important way for us to supplement the income for Birmingham Shopmobility, we are pleased to say that with the continuing support of the managers of Bullring we are able to keep the parking concession at its current level of 3 hours free and then £1 per hour.