Ipswich Shopmobility provides free hand-propelled and electric wheelchairs and electric scooters to help people who have limited mobility, whether through permanent or temporary disablement, illness, accident or age, to shop and use other facilities in the town centre.

The Shopmobility Centre is located inside the Buttermarket Shopping Centre, on the Lower Ground level. When arriving by car use the Falcon Street entrance to the Buttermarket Car Park.

Opening hours

The Shopmobility service is available from 09.15 to 16.15 Monday to Saturday (equipment to be returned by 16.00). It does not open on Sundays or Bank Holidays.

You do not need to book to use the service but to make sure that the wheelchair or scooter you require is available when you want it, please telephone the Shopmobility Centre or call in to ask.

Ipswich Shopmobility does not open in times of bad weather. Customers should call before travelling to ensure we are open.

How Shopmobility works

On your first visit to the Shopmobility Centre you will be asked to produce some identification showing your name and address, to enable the completion of a simple registration card for insurance purposes. Once you have been issued with a membership card, you will need to present it each time you visit in order to obtain equipment.

A member of the Shopmobility volunteer team will show you and any companions how the wheelchair or scooter works and when you are confident that you can handle it - away you go!

At the end of your visit (which is a maximum of 4 hours per visit), you need to return the chair or scooter to base by 16.00 at the latest. Please note we only lend equipment on a daily basis and are not able to provide equipment for overnight hire.

Donations

There is no charge for using Shopmobility equipment but the scheme does need all the help it can get to meet running and repair costs, so donations are always welcome.

Parking

Eleven designated parking spaces are reserved for Shopmobility users in the Buttermarket car park adjacent to the Shopmobility Centre. Shopmobility users who park their vehicles in these designated spaces when using Shopmobility equipment are entitled to two hours free parking.

Volunteers

Ipswich Shopmobility often needs volunteers. Volunteering is a great way to develop your potential, gain work experience and boost your CV while making a big difference to lives of mobility-impaired people.

Visit the Volunteer with Ipswich Shopmobility page for more information.