Newry, Mourne and Down District Council is now providing a shopmobility service in Newcastle for anyone needing help getting around the town.
Four scooters will be available seven days a week and are available from the Newcastle Centre on the main promenade.
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Four new scooters for Newcastle: Newry Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Cllr Naomi Bailie, right, with Julie Gullar, Shopmobility Belfast manager, Karen Halliday, centre area manager, and Janice Douthwaite, centre duty manager at the launch of the scheme at Newcastle Centre.[/caption]
Julie Guliar, Director of Shopmobility Belfast who was delighted with the launch said: “I am really pleased with the development of our service to a new area. The Newcastle Centre staff will strive to help anybody with a mobility problem to enjoy the Newcastle scenery with greater independence and freedom.”
Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Cllr Naomi Bailie added: “The Council welcomes this valuable service to Newcastle. The facility to hire scooters will make it easier for people with mobility problems to get around the town. It has been launched just in time for the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open when the town will be particularly busy.”
Sinn Féin Welcome The Introduction of Shopmobility Scheme in Newcastle
Cllr Willie Clarke Mourne’s Sinn Féin Councillor, speaking following the launch of the Newcastle Shopmobility scheme said: “I am delighted this scheme has been introduced because of a notice of motion I brought to Down District Council last year. The scheme, currently available in many towns and cities in Ireland, provides manual and powered wheelchairs, as well as scooters, free of charge to people who have difficulty getting about.
“ The council had a ‘social responsibility’ to ensure people with disability had full access to the seaside resort. Following considerable investment in our streetscape and central promenade, it is essential all citizens can access all retail and outdoor activities.
“Newcastle has an increasing aging population and it is essential that we cater for their requirements, which includes mobility issues, I would appeal to local residents to sign up and avail of this scheme, it is paramount that this service is maximised by locals and tourists alike, I would also request accommodation providers register an interest in the scheme, which will be a unique selling point for their business when procuring bookings, that mobility scooters can be provided”, added Cllr Clarke
For further information about the service please phone 028 9080 8090 or checkout out the new website at:
(Please note that you have to have a Shopmobility Belfast membership card to use the service.)
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