Dial West Cheshire who have been delivering a Shopmobility service for over 17 years have announced the closure of their Chester service due to funding changes. This follows the closure of the Northwich and Ellesmere Port branches which closed in December. The doors to the site on the Kaleyards car park will close for the last time on the 31st March with a closing down sale taking place over the final 2 months. Dial West Cheshire paid tribute to volunteers across all their sites for their service they have offered to the community.
The council have subsequently commented that:
“Shopmobility is a non-statutory service that the Council currently commissions. The decision to remove the grant subsidy was approved at Full Council in February 2024 as part of the budget setting process. Following this decision the Council has worked in partnership with local community sector organisations to try and develop a self-sustaining Shopmobility service. During August 2024 a new provider was selected, however unfortunately made the decision to withdraw.
“The Council has continued to fund DIAL West Cheshire to deliver a shop mobility service on a temporary basis. Due to very low usage the service ceased in Northwich and Ellesmere port at the end of December 2024. ”
Noting the current financial pressures faced by many local authorities, the Council say that they are working on an alternative offer for scooter hire in Chester.
Cabinet member for adult social care, Councillor Shelia Little, said: “We recognise that Shopmobility is an important service to our residents and visitors that use it. Our aim was to look at new ways of working with the community and other providers to develop this service in the future. We remain committed to finding a longer term solution and are continuing to work on an alternative offer for Shopmobility scooter hire in Chester.”
Information about alternative mobility equipment options are available on the Council’s Live Well website Search results | Live Well Cheshire West
The Chester blog 
Cheshire West and Chester’s handling of the Shopmobility situation is shocking and shambolic. The 2024 report to councillors which led to the decision to withdraw funding outlined that savings could be made with the service being delivered differently. A subsequent media release, together with statements from Cllr Little, Cabinet Holder for Adult Social Care and Health, confirmed there were no plans to remove the Shopmobility service from Cheshire West. The charity providing the service, Dial West Cheshire, repeatedly explained to the council that their plans were flawed, and the lifeline service for local disabled people as well as visitors and tourists (and their families and carers) was at risk of closure. Sadly, it has been proven the plans were flawed, with Northwich and Ellesmere Port already closed (despite local people and MPs being reassured they would continue) and the Chester service on the brink of closure. Bizarrely, earlier in 2024 the council secured public funding to replace the Shopmobility portacabin in Chester, and allocated project funding to encourage disabled visitors to the city in line with the aim of Chester being a must-see, inclusive visitor destination – which has previously won the EU Access City Award for which Dial West Cheshire and the Shopmobility service played a significant part.
Disabled people, elected officials and others have been mis-led. The council must honour the commitment to sustain the service.
They’re into ‘devolution’ at the moment; any money they can repurpose will be going to support their own aggrandisement. I got a letter telling me that recycling collection is now every two weeks; the houses around me are largely student slums, so they’ll just put recyclables into black bins otherwise they’ll have it creating drifts on the street. Never mind the basics, and never mind the disabled – Gotta scrape together some extra pennies for the Cheshire Regional Mayor branding and executive team !
Realistically, in this case, the council should just use their statutory powers to take over one of the dodgy vape shops on Frodsham street, and turn it into the necesasry hub without having to pay middlemen. Too simple, I suppose.
Cheshire West have publicly stated they recognise the benefits of the shopmobility service for disabled people and do not intend to remove the service from the borough.
Warrington Borough Council and Cheshire East Council also recognise the benefits and both support the shopmobility services in their areas.
Cheshire West must honour the commitment they made to sustain the service.
Yet again the stupidity of Councillors has resulted in a much needed Service being withdrawn from the community and Visitors to the area.
Somebody greedily thought they could get a Privately funded company to take on the role currently supplied by Dial West on the cheap. However, when the private suppliers realise the extent and requirements of the service currently offered they will always run away, or offer a substandard service.
Shame on all you Councillors who once again have put your noses in the trough and ignored the needs of the people who voted you in to the position you hold.