Fears for future of Shopmobility in Sutton - Burstow

12.00.00am GMT Thu 9th Nov 2006

Paul Burstow, MP for Sutton and Cheam, has expressed concern over the funding difficulties facing Sutton's Shopmobility scheme, after visiting the scheme last week.

Mr Burstow visited the scheme - which is based at the St Nicholas Centre, Sutton - after learning that lottery funding for the scheme expires in December; currently funding from the lottery covers 68% of the organisation's running costs. The scheme's managers believe that if a new source of funding is not found it will have to close by March next year.

Mr Burstow has written to Paul Martin, Chief Executive of Sutton Council, to ask the Council to assist the scheme as it looks for new sources of funding.

Commenting on the financial difficulties of the Shopmobility programme, Paul Burstow MP said:

"Sutton' Shopmobility scheme is a great asset to our community and it will be a tragedy if the scheme has to close due to lack of funding. The scheme serves nearly 1400 active members and expects to facilitate over 5000 visits this year."

"Sutton Shopmobility requires sustained funding. It requires a partnership of High Street retailers, public sector and individuals to raise the funding."