Forum Topic

Why are cuts closing Ealing shopping centre Shopmobility closing from July?

From July the Ealing shopping centre Shopmobility scheme is closing due to council funding cuts. Why? This provides scooters and wheelchairs in the centre so that the disabled can get around to shop. To me this, and food banks, are questions we should ask our would-be MPs about.

John Alan Peters ● 3247d6 Comments

The  Shopmobility scheme in Hounslow has always been operated by a small charity (Hounslow Community Transport)with support of the shopping centres.The hire fees are ploughed back into the service. That said I have never seen any of their scooters actually being used as 'out and about' in Hounslow those who have to use them either have their own much smaller scooters of have the larger scooters that Shopmobility do not provide.There is no need for either local or central government funding in Hounslow and I don't see that Ealing is any different.

Paul Gibbs ● 3240d

What on earth has the running of a shopping centres , got to do with the government? Why should the govt. supply the basic needs of a shopping centre, not the multi -millionaire owners .Please answer the question!

Dennis Brogan ● 3241d

well said Arthur!

Simon Bell ● 3241d

The "nanny state" has to because the fat cats won't. What about the Business Improvement District? Is this their area?

Arthur Breens ● 3241d

Shopping centres take a big percentage of sales from each shop! Why on earth should this scheme be financed by the government? Maybe the government should buy plaster for self -employed plasterers! Commercial shopping centres are owned by huge rich companies who should finance this, not the government ! Ridiculous pathetic Nanny State !

Dennis Brogan ● 3242d

I for one never knew about this service.  I wonder how many other people were/are totally unaware as well?  Is it being closed because there were too few requests for the service?

Philippa Bond ● 3243d