Tag Archives: Shopmobility

Fun Fact Friday: Shopmobility

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Buckingham Shopmobility Service is a scheme that allows anyone with a mobility problem, whether temporary or permanent, to get out and about in Buckingham Town Centre. There are even allocated free parking spaces for Shopmobility users, next to the Shopmobility building.

There are electric mobility scooters and manual wheelchairs available. (Manual wheelchairs are available for a small fee). The wheelchairs can be folded for loading into a vehicle for home use, hospital appointments, visits to local events and places of interest. The service is sponsored by Buckingham Town Council and is free for anyone who wishes to shop or sight-see in Buckingham and the surrounding areas.

If you would like to use this service, find it on the far side of Cornwall’s Meadow Car Park, Buckingham, MK18 1RP. You can also reserve a mobility scooter or wheelchair, by contacting a member of the Shopmobility team on 07738 314 027 or email TIC@buckingham-tc.gov.uk. Currently, Shopmobility is only open on Saturdays from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm and it is closed every other day including Bank Holidays. Hopefully the full service will be able to resume once restrictions are lifted.

Accessibility problems? AccessAble help to provide disabled access information to the area with access guides to 100 venues including shops, restaurants, hotels and parks. Follow the AccessAble link to go to the Buckingham AccessAble webpage.

Tier 4: Stay at Home and Buckingham Town Council services

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From Sunday 20th December Buckingham became a Tier 4: Stay at home area. This means that there is a very high or very rapidly rising level of Coronavirus Covid-19 infections.

There will be some changes due to Buckingham Town Council services because of the new restrictions, while other services continue:

  • The Tuesday and Saturday Market will continue to run (apart from Boxing Day), however non-essential retail are unable to attend.
  • The Flea Market will not be running.
  • Play areas, outdoor multi-use games areas and outdoor gym equipment will stay open, and the green spaces team will continue working as usual.
  • The Tourist Information Centre and the Tourist Information Centre phone line will be closed.
  • Shopmobility will continue to be open on Saturdays. Users are asked to call in advance.
  • Lace Hill Sports and Community Centre is now closed except for a small number of exempt activities.
  • The Town Council office remains closed to drop in visitors.
  • The cemetery is available for interments as usual and in line with restrictions.

Many local businesses are offering delivery or click and collect options. If you can, please support your community by buying local this Christmas. 

Contacting the Town Council over the Christmas break

If you need to contact the Council over the break, you can call 01280 816 426 between 9.30 am and 4 pm on the following days:

  • Monday 21st December
  • Tuesday 22nd December
  • Wednesday 23rd December
  • Tuesday 29th December
  • Wednesday 30th December

Normal services will resume on Monday 4th January 2021.

Finally, we wish you the best possible time over the Christmas holiday.

We know this is a really tough time for many local residents, families and businesses. If you are struggling and need help, please reach out and ask for support.

Tier 3 restrictions and changes to Buckingham Town Council services

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From Saturday 19th December Buckingham will be a Tier 3 area. This means that there is a very high or very rapidly rising level of Coronavirus Covid-19 infections.

There will be some changes due to Buckingham Town Council services because of the new restrictions, while other services continue:

  • The Tuesday and Saturday Market will continue to run (apart from Boxing Day)
  • The Flea Market will not be running.
  • Play areas, outdoor multi-use games areas and outdoor gym equipment will stay open, and the green spaces team will continue working as usual.
  • The Tourist Information Centre and the Tourist Information Centre phone line will be closed.
  • Shopmobility will continue to be open and available on Saturdays.
  • Lace Hill Sports and Community Centre bookings can continue where permitted.
  • The Town Council office remains closed to drop in visitors.
  • The cemetery is available for interments as usual and in line with restrictions.

Many local businesses are offering delivery or click and collect options. If you can, please support your community by buying local this Christmas. 

Contacting the Town Council over the Christmas break

If you need to contact the Council over the break, you can call 01280 816 426 between 9.30 am and 4 pm on the following days:

  • Monday 21st December
  • Tuesday 22nd December
  • Wednesday 23rd December
  • Tuesday 29th December
  • Wednesday 30th December

Normal services will resume on Monday 4th January 2021.

Finally, we wish you the best possible time over the Christmas holiday.

We know this is a really tough time for many local residents, families and businesses. If you are struggling and need help, please reach out and ask for support.

 

Lace Hill, Tourist Information Centre and Chandos Park Toilets to reopen 4th July

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Lace Hill Sports and Community Centre

The Lace Hill Community Centre has been closed since the beginning of the lockdown. The Centre will now open for hirers who can meet the current guidelines. Unfortunately, we are not yet allowed to open centre for sporting activities, or to open the changing rooms. A range of safety measures have been put in place, including ensuring hirers can maintain social distancing, and an additional cleaning regime. It is hoped that most hirers will return by September.

Tourist Information Centre

The Tourist Information Centre, in the front of the Old Gaol, will also reopen from Saturday 4th July. The Centre will now be open 7 days a week; it was agreed earlier in the year to trial summer opening on Sundays to improve the service to weekend visitors to the town. Measures have been put in place to prevent and reduce any risks. Queries can also be made via phone during opening hours: 10am-4pm on 01280 823020.

Buckingham Shopmobility is still closed until further notice.

Chandos Park Toilets

After the reopening of most other public toilets in Buckingham on Thursday 18th June, we’re pleased to announce that the toilets in Chandos Park will also be fully reopened from Saturday 4th July.

Additional measures have been put in place to ensure they are as safe as possible for use. An additional daily clean has been introduced and high visibility signage will be prominent, advising users to thoroughly wash their hands and to maintain social distancing in accordance with the government guidelines.

Impact of Coronavirus Measures on Buckingham Town Council Services

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Grounds Maintenance

The Grounds Maintenance Team are continuing to work to maintain Bourton and Chandos Parks, green spaces and cemetery.  Grass cutting will soon start again, including on grass verges and vision splays.

Play area checks and repairs will continue.  Parents and guardians should take appropriate steps to ensure children’s safety and hygiene is projected when using equipment.

Members of the public are asked to remember that Town Council staff have been instructed to have minimal direct contact while they are at work, so all questions about Council services should be made by phone or email wherever possible.

UPDATE AS OF 24th March – ALL play areas and outdoor gym equipment across Buckingham is now closed. 

25th March – Public toilets are closed

Markets

The Town’s markets remain very much open, and are proving more popular than ever.  The market provides people with a low risk outdoor place to shop for essential supplies.  All stall holders have been asked to make sure they have some means of hand washing at their stall which they should use regularly.  This is a great way to support local businesses at this time.

Shopmobility

The Shopmobility Service is now closed temporarily, due to a reduced demand and to protect staff.

Tourist Information Centre

The Tourist Information Centre has been closed temporarily, following the closure of the Old Gaol.  However, staff are still available to answer queries by telephone and email during the Centre’s usual working hours:

Opening Hours

Monday – Saturday, 10.00am to 4.00pm

Contact Us

Phone: 01280 823 020

Email: TIC@buckingham-tc.gov.uk

Web: www.buckinghamoldgaol.org.uk

Lace Hill Sports and Community Centre

The centre remains open for hire but not for general public access by drop in.  Hirers are being asked to keep their activities under review, and to ensure all users follow the government’s hygiene advice.  Many activities have now been put on hold, so do check before visiting the Centre.

Events

  • The Funeral Fair, Death Café and Civic Service have been cancelled owing to the low numbers forecast to attend, and requests from stallholders and attendees not to go ahead.
  • The Annual Town Meeting has been postponed.
  • The Easter event planned for 5th April at the Lace Hill Community Centre has been cancelled.
  • Music in the Market will also not go ahead.
  • The planned VE Day celebration will now be held as a combined event to mark VJ Day on 15th August.  More details will follow.

Decisions about events planned for later in the year will be made at a later date.

Town Council Office

The Town Council office is now closed to visitors.  However staff are still working and phone calls and emails will be responded to in the usual way: office@buckingham-tc.gov.uk  01280 826426.

New Shopmobility Facility

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After its temporary lodging in the Library, Buckingham’s new Shopmobility home was formally opened by Mayor, Councillor Jon Harvey, in November. Situated in Cornwalls Meadow car park, the new premises adjoin the new toilets and changing places facility, and four disabled parking bays have been reserved for its users.
More details of the service are available on our Shopmobility page

Photo credit to Anthony Ralph