People in Bath needing to use mobility equipment when they are out and about in the city centre are now able to hire items by the day from a local business, replacing B&NES Council’s own service.
Supplier Assured Mobility moved earlier this year from their premises on Midford Road to Hot Bath Street, and has been working with Bath & North East Somerset Council to introduce a daily hire scheme for people in the city.
The local authority previously ran their own Shopmobility service from the One Stop Shop on Manvers Street, but it was closed when the pandemic started early last year.
The council has now said the service cannot be restarted due to the increased floor space required for the reintroduction of a police station in the building.
The Hot Bath Street branch will offer wheelchairs, scooters, power chairs, riser chairs, profiling beds, personal care, footwear, bath aids, accessible bathroom adaptations, stairlifts and more.
The store is fully accessible with disabled parking and a dropped kerb close by.
Councillor Richard Samuel, deputy Leader and cabinet member for Resources & Economic Development, said: “I am delighted that Assured Mobility have been able to change its weekly hire service to a daily offering for residents and visitors in Bath.
“It will help people with mobility issues who do not have their own equipment, particularly those who may only be visiting for the day.
“The service will also support local businesses by enabling people to get around the city and to shop local.”
Charles Eatwell, director of Assured Mobility, said: “Our new location in the centre of Bath allows people to access our hire services more easily at the point of greatest demand.
“We are very pleased to be able to increase the hire availability of mobility scooters and wheelchairs to the visitors and residents of Bath, continuing the work of the council and helping people stay independent for as long as possible.”
Assured Mobility in Bath can be contacted on 01225 831960 or by emailing [email protected].