St Edmundsbury Borough Council is committed to having accessible shopping environments in its towns. As part of this commitment it runs a Shopmobility Scheme in Bury and Haverhill.

What is Shopmobility?

The Shopmobility Scheme hires manual and electric wheelchairs or scooters to people who may have difficulty walking around the town and the shops and visiting the attractions. Who can use Shopmobility?

Anyone who has difficulty walking - you do not need to be registered disabled. If you have had an accident or surgery and have a temporary injury, or if you are elderly or pregnant and find it difficult to walk long distances, you are welcome to join the scheme. How to use Shopmobility

You can join the scheme at the office in Bury or Haverhill and use either towns for your shopping.

On your first visit you will need to provide two pieces of identification, one of which must have your address. For example, you could bring your pension book and a recent electricity bill or a passport and your Council Tax bill. You will need to complete a simple registration form and will be shown how to use the vehicle of your choice. When you are happy that you can use the machine away you go! Next time you visit the scheme you will only have to show your membership card.

At the end of your shopping trip simply return the scooter or wheelchair to the Shopmobility Centre.

How much will it cost?

• Annual membership of £5, plus a £1.50 fee every time you hire a scooter or wheelchair; or
• A £3.50 hire charge on each occasion with no annual fee.
• Anyone not registered disabled will now be liable to pay vat.

Booking your scooter

To avoid disappointment please book your scooter or wheelchair 24 hours in advance.

• Bury St Edmunds phone: 01284 757175
• Haverhill phone: 01440 702847

Accessible toilets

There are accessible toilets at or very near the Shopmobility centres.

When is the scheme open?

Any special events held within the town centres may be catered for.

How do I get there?

In Bury St Edmunds it's part of the visitor services operation at the Tourist Information Centre (TIC), 6 Angel Hill.
The centre is located on Angel Hill and is signposted from most major roads around the town.
There are a few designated parking spaces outside the TIC and you can reserve one when you book your scooter.

• The Bury St Edmunds scheme is open Monday to Friday (May-October) 10am-4pm Saturday (November-May) 10am-1pm Sundays (May-October) 10am-3pm
• To book a scooter phone: 01284 757175
• if you don't have access to a car, Dial-a-Ride offers a service to the TIC; or
• we can arrange for your scooter to be collected/dropped off at the Bus and Coach Station in St Andrews Street North.
• Bury St Edmunds and Haverhill Shopmobility leaflet – including map (PDF 412Kb)

The Haverhill service is based at the borough council's offices in Lower Downs Slade, and operated by 3CT (Three Counties Transport).

• The Haverhill scheme is open Monday to Friday 10am – 4pm
• To book at scooter call 01440 702847 or email lyn.burgess@suffolk.gov.uk
• You can also book parking spaces if required; and
• if you don't have a car 3CT can organise transport for you.
• Haverhill and Bury St Edmunds Shopmobility leaflet – including map (PDF 412Kb)

For more information contact:

• Bury St Edmunds Shopmobility Tourist Information Centre 6 Angel Hill Bury St Edmunds Suffolk IP33 1UZ
  Phone/Fax: 01284 757175 answerphone service outside opening hours email: tic@stedsbc.gov.uk
  
• Haverhill Shopmobility Lower Downs Slade Haverhill Suffolk CB9 9HB
  Phone: 01440 702847 email: lyn.burgess@et.suffolkcc.gov.uk