Shopmobility Charity Announces Closure

A Market Harborough charity that has been serving the community for over 25 years is to close.

Shopmobility has been unable to find alternative premises after being given notice to leave Roman Way Community Centre by Leicestershire County Council, which is selling the site.

Shopmobility will close next month

The charity, which rents out mobility scooters, wheelchairs and other mobility aids, was thrown a lifeline last year when the Market Harborough and the Bowdens charity put in a bid to buy the centre, after it was registered as an Asset Of Community Value.

If successful it would have allowed Shopmobility to continue to operate from the premises, however the bid was rejected by the council.

The charity will close its doors for the final time on February 4th.

Shopmobility’s two employees will lose their jobs as a result of the closure, including Amanda Ball, who has been the scheme co-ordinator for nine years.

She spoke to HFM:

Shopmobility will close next month

Community groups were given until early February to put in a bid to buy the centre and the current preferred bidder has not been revealed.

A spokesperson for Leicestershire County Council said : “A preferred bidder has been provisionally selected for Roman Way Day Centre. However, the final position will only be confirmed after the period of moratorium ends on 6th February.

“After making occupiers aware in May 2024 of the Council’s decision to dispose of the property and the requirement for them to vacate, we provided support to identify a number of possible alternative locations, but unfortunately these efforts did not prove successful.”

Harborough District Council also worked with Shopmobility to identify potential alternative sites, but none were suitable for the charity’s needs.