Shopmobility is a free service offering loan of wheelchairs and electric scooters to people who need them for shopping and sightseeing in Oxford city centre. There are a variety of electric scooters and electric or manual wheelchairs. The staff provide free lessons on using this equipment.
Finding Shopmobility
We run the Shopmobility unit based in the Westgate Car Park in Oxford.
The Shopmobility office is based on Level 1 of the Westgate Car Park, immediately next to the Car Park Office. There is accessible parking next to the building. If you use our mobility equipment you can obtain free parking for the duration of your stay in the Westgate car park.
Download the Shopmobility Scheme location maps below:
Map of Oxford Shopmobility Scheme (182kB PDF)
If you are unable to leave your car, please let staff know when you book, and they will bring a scooter out to you.
To get to the Shopmobility Centre, enter the city either on the A420 (Botley Road), into Oxpens Road, and enter the Westgate Car Park at the junction of Norfolk Street. Alternatively, enter the city on the A4144 (Abingdon Road), turn left into Thames Street and right into the car park at Norfolk Street.
Ring-a-ride service (Octabus Service)
If you are a local resident and cannot drive to Shopmobility, you could use a taxi or book a place on the Ring-a-ride service. For more details on accessible transport, visit our Accessible Transport page.
Shopmobility Opening Times
Normal opening hours are from 8am to 6pm Monday to Friday and 9.30am to 5pm on Saturdays and Sundays. Please ring if you are unsure about when the unit is open
High Vehicles
The entrance to the car park is 6' high or 1.828m. If your vehicle is higher than this and you cannot walk from your vehicle, you can park in the open air car park and ring the Shopmobility Unit for assistance on 01865 248737. A member of staff can bring your preferred mobility vehicle out to you.
Booking a Wheelchair or Scooter for use around Oxford
To use the Shopmobility service, you will first need to become a member and fill in a simple application form on your first visit to the centre. To save you time on your first visit, you can print off and fill in the Shopmobility Membership form below. For identification purposes, you will also need to bring something with you showing your name and address:
Shopmobility Membership Application Form (114kB DOC)
Once you have become a member of the scheme, you should phone us on 01865 248737 to find out about availability or to make an advanced booking. During opening hours the phone will be answered but there is also an answer phone on which you can leave your booking.
To guarantee availability, it is always best to phone in advance to make a booking for Shopmobility. However, if you need to make a visit to Oxford which is not pre-planned, it may still be possible to use one of the scooters or wheelchairs.
Costs
This service is free of charge. You will be issued with a membership number to quote when booking in the future.
Shopmobility Safety
We want to ensure you are safe while enjoying the sights and facilities in Oxford.
Shopmobility staff will always give you a lesson before you take a scooter out for the first time but here are a few tips to keep you safe and sound while riding around the city:
- Stopping is simple - just take your hand off the power lever
- Only use dropped curbs to cross roads
- Don't try to go up or down curb stones - you risk disconnecting the batteries or tipping yourself out of the scooter
- Slow right down for corners and shop doorways
- Give pedestrians plenty of room
- Use pedestrian crossings when available
- Always allow plenty of time to cross the roads
Buying Mobility Aids
Our Shopmobility Service in Oxford sells mobility aids to the public. Small aids can be purchased immediately if in stock and other items can be ordered.
More About Shopmobility Schemes
To find out more about other Shopmobility schemes visit the National Federation of Shopmobility website or ask a member of the Oxford Shopmobility unit who have copies of the Shopmobility Directories.
RADAR Keys
The National Key Scheme offers independent access by disabled people to around 7,000 locked public toilets in Oxford and around the country. RADAR Keys can be purchased from the Shopmobility Centre or the Oxford Information Centre in Broad Street, at a cost of £3.50.
Changing Place Toilet
Oxford now has a Changing Place toilet in the Shopmobility Unit at the Westgate Car Park. It is open between the hours of 8.30am - 6pm.
During the opening hours of Shopmobility (9.00am - 4.30pm) the unit will be open normally. Outside of these hours it will be necessary to obtain a key from the Car Park Office which is next to the Shopmobility Unit.
Address: Shopmobility Unit, Westgate Car Park, off Norfolk Street, Oxford.
Telephone: 01865 248737
Please note there is a height restriction on entering the car park building of 1.98m or 6 feet. There is an open air car park area that can be used.
Page last reviewed 7 December 2012
