The service offers people with a physical or sensory disability convenient transportation to Castlepoint Shopping Park and the Sovereign Centre in Boscombe. Castlepoint’s management has worked closely with Shopmobility, the wheelchair and power scooter hire operation, to ensure that the BAT bus has priority for the safe transit of passengers from the vehicle to wheelchairs or scooters.
Alison Morrison, Manager at Shopmobility, says that their hire service has seen an 18 % year on year increase in demand since the facility was opened at Castlepoint in 2004. The service is available to anyone, young or old, no matter whether their mobility impairment is temporary or permanent, caused by illness, accident or age. Pregnant ladies are also encouraged to hire a scooter to help them access the shops when their mobility becomes reduced.
“We are delighted with the feedback from our members who use the BAT bus scheme to not only go shopping but who can also make use of the afternoon hospital visiting and outpatient appointments service to the Royal Bournemouth, Christchurch, including the Macmillan unit, and Kings Park Hospitals,” said Alison Morrison. “For those who find using public transport difficult, the door to door service has become a vital part of day to day independent living.”
Members who pay the annual £6 fee can arrange to be collected from their homes for just a £4 return fare which allows them two hours shopping before being returned home. The door to door service operates four mornings a week. Carers can also travel on the BAT bus.
Peter Matthews, General Manager at Castlepoint, said that they will continue to focus on the enhancement of facilities and the training of personnel to make the experience of shopping at the UK’s largest retail park more convenient and pleasurable.
“With guidance from Shopmobility and our Disability forum we will assess recommendations and embrace ideas and new technology to make life better for anyone with any form of impairment.”
