EcoCarriers to take on Shopmobility service
The photos shows front row Sharon Steven, Rowan Wilson, Libby Ranzetta and David Fisher from EcoCarriers Bury St Edmunds with some of the shopmobility vehicles. They are pictured with Sue Warren from Our Bury St Edmunds and Bury St Edmunds and Beyond, Diane Hind, deputy mayor of Bury St Edmunds Town Council which supports EcoCarriers, Donna Higgins, cabinet member for Families and Communities at West Suffolk Council, Allan Hassell from the Arc Shopping Centre and Cliff Waterman, leader of West Suffolk Council. Photo: West Suffolk Council.
EcoCarriers Bury St Edmunds, the not-for-profit social enterprise that promotes sustainable transport in the town, will be adding Shopmobility to its offer from Monday. (November 3).
EcoCarriers was set up in 2022 by a group of Bury Rickshaw volunteers who wanted to build on their experience of serving isolated members of the community with medicine and food deliveries during the pandemic.
The team now delivers goods by cargo bike, provides a community pedicab service to help residents access community assets, and runs the Bike Library and school Bike Train projects.
EcoCarriers, which has been supported by both West Suffolk and the town council, will be delivering an improved Shopmobility service to residents and visitors in Bury St Edmunds from November 3.
Shopmobility allows people to book an electric wheelchair or scooter to support them in being able to get out and enjoy the town shops, cafes, restaurants, market and other attractions.
Libby Ranzetta, EcoCarriers director, said: “We’re delighted to add Shopmobility to our range of services that help people move about the town and engage in all there is to offer here.
“We plan to extend the availability of the scooters to people that travel in by bus, or who live in the town but don’t have access to a car to get to the main collection point at The Apex.
“Our PedalCab service already helps residents with limited mobility in getting to appointments, and now we can offer Shopmobility too, for those who want travel more independently.”
West Suffolk Council is investing £5,500 a year to support EcoCarriers in taking on the running of Shopmobility including servicing the electric wheelchairs and scooters.
The council will also lease space to the EcoCarriers to store the electric wheelchairs and scooters so that Shopmobility users can continue to collect and drop off vehicles at The Apex.
Donna Higgins, the cabinet member for Families and Communities at West Suffolk Council, said: “I am delighted that the people behind Bury Rickshaw, which already does so much to help people who would otherwise struggle to get out and enjoy our wonderful town, will now be running the Shopmobility service.
“Their experience in promoting social inclusion and combating social isolation and loneliness, can only be of benefit to anyone who needs or wants to use the Shopmobility service – and that can only be good for the town as well.
“Through this, they will be further supporting the health and wellbeing of residents in West Suffolk, delivering towards the council’s strategic priority for thriving communities.”
Cliff Waterman, the leader of West Suffolk Council, added: “This is great news. West Suffolk is pleased to be a supporter of EcoCarriers and the fantastic work it is already doing to benefit the town.
“This latest move supports social inclusion ensuring people can come into Bury St Edmunds and enjoy our wonderful town.
“It supports the shops, cafes, restaurants, the market and the cultural attractions that make the town such a brilliant place to visit. And it supports the council in its bold and exciting ambition for a thriving West Suffolk for all of our residents.”
Current members of the scheme should have already received a letter detailing the changes and have been reimbursed their subscription.
To book this improved service residents will need to register with EcoCarriers either by phoning 01284 413441, by emailing hello@ecocarriersbse.co.uk or online at https://ecocarriersbse.co.uk/shopmobility