Sunday 6 April 2014

It's just over a month since our official re-opening, and we have been busy both in the shop and online.

We are now on Twitter - find us and follow us @SpaShopmobility. Thanks to Stephanie Kerr of BID Leamington for getting us started. 
We are also on Facebook where you can become a friend of Leamington Shopmobility
Our own website is: www.leamingtonshopmobility.org.uk 
Robin Brooks, our new manager, trained as a mechanic with the RAF, so who better to thoroughly check over every scooter and wheelchair. Just one scooter was in need of some new batteries, which are on order. All the rest are in sound condition and ready to roll, if not to fly!

Here's Robin:


and some of our scooters in the workshop getting a battery charge – we have 3-wheelers too



One of our wheelchairs getting a new inner tube:



As well as checking over the vehicles, Robin has completed the tidying and reorganisation of the shop. We have acquired some new furniture, including a table and some upright chairs for use by customers and visitors.



The new table in use for a meeting of some of our trustees:



If you are not yet a member of Leamington Spa Shopmobility and you think we might be able to help you to get around in Leamington, give us a call on 01926 470450, or drop in to see us on Level 4 of the Royal Priors car park, just above M&S. Please do use the door push buttons. We've found that manually pulling the doors open can damage the motors, so let the doors do the work! There is now a button on each side of the doors on the outside, thanks to the management of Royal Priors.


We look forward to many of our regular customers returning and new members joining as Spring tempts people into town.

Friday 7 March 2014

To visit our main website, click here: http://www.leamingtonshopmobility.org.uk/

Leamington Spa Shopmobility is now open again 5 days a week, at Level 4 of the Royal Priors car park. Our new opening times are 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday to Friday. As well as providing mobility scooters and wheelchairs for loan, we sell a small range of walking aids. Robin Brooks, our new manager, brings many years of Shopmobility experience with him, and makes all visitors welcome.

If you would like book one of our scooters or wheelchairs, please phone us on 01926 470450 and leave a message. You can also email us at admin@leamingtonshopmobility.org.uk


Our official re-opening took place on Monday 3rd March, with a short ceremony in the newly refurbished shop. Our patron, local Paralympic champion Nigel Murray, cut the ribbon and told us how Shopmobility had helped him – he was one of our first members. David Shilton, leader of Warwickshire County Council, gave a short speech in praise of the work of Shopmobility. We are also grateful for the attendance and support of councillors John Knight and Bill Gifford, and Royal Priors manager Gerry McManus.


 L to R: Andy Gotts (trustee), Mike Magness (trustee), Cllr David Greenwood (Trustee), Cllr Ann Morrison (Chair of the Board of Trustees), Cllr John Knight (Deputy Mayor Royal Leamington Spa Town Council), Cllr Sidney Syson (Trustee), Cllr David Shilton (Chairman of Warwickshire County Council), Mr Gerry McManus (Manager, Royal Priors Centre), Mr Nigel Murray (patron of the Trust), Mr Robin Brooks (Shopmobility Manager) and Cllr Bill Gifford (Warwickshire County, Warwick District and RLS Town Council).


We are still looking for more volunteers to help us run the scheme. In particular, we need people who can spare a couple of hours to cover the lunch period at the shop and assist new users. No selling is involved! If you would like more information, please contact us as above.

Tuesday 25 February 2014

We are delighted to say that Leamington Spa Shopmobility will be re-opening on Monday 3rd March. From now on, we will be open Monday to Friday, 10:00am to 5:00pm each week.

The scheme will be officially re-opened by Nigel Murray MBE, the Paralymic athlete from Leamington Spa. The Mayor of Royal Leamington Spa, local councillors and members of the business community will also be taking part in the re-opening event, on Monday 3rd March from 2:00pm to 3:00pm in the Royal Priors. Come along and meet us!

Our new shop manager, Robin Brooks, will be working with the Board of Trustees to create a welcoming environment for customers and provide a useful service. We hope that many volunteers will join us to help achieve this.

Our Shopmobility unit on the 4th floor of the Royal Priors car park has been re-painted inside and out, courtesy of the management of Royal Priors. They have also installed a second opening button for the automatic doors, to make it easier and safer for customers to gain access. We are very grateful for their continued support.

This is what it now looks like. Even on a rather dark February evening, you can't miss it!