Do you struggle to get around? 

Does Strand Street seem too long?

Do you have to rely on others to do your shopping?

Are you visiting the Island and want to get out and about?

We can help you!  

We provide short term use of mobility equipment from our showroom in the Circa Centre in Chester Street Car Park in Douglas

This includes Electric Mobility Scooters, Electric Powered Wheelchairs and Manual Wheelchairs. Please click below for the full list of Shopmobility Equipment available .

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Shopmobility Information

How do I arrange to use the Shopmobility service?

You can reserve an item of equipment by telephoning, e-mailing or popping into the Shopmobility showroom in the Circa Centre during our opening hours.  Service users are required to complete a registration form. 

Advance booking is always recommended, especially at busy holiday periods. We cannot guarantee the availability of any item of equipment until it has been reserved.

Does it matter if I have never used this type for equipment before?

Don’t worry, full instructions will be given when you arrive to pick up your reserved equipment.  

How much does it cost?

Shopmobility is a free service to Manx Residents with mobility issues. 

However, should you wish to use a piece of equipment for longer than one day we suggest a donation of £ 4.00 per day for manual mobility equipment (e.g. Wheelchairs) and £ 8.00 per day for powered mobility equipment (i.e. Electric Scooters and Electric Wheelchairs).

Who can use the service, is it only for Isle of man residents?

Visitors to the Island can also use the Shopmobility equipment, subject to availability. 

The suggested donation for visitors is £4.00 per day for manual mobility equipment (e.g. Wheelchairs) and £ 8.00 per day for powered mobility equipment (i.e. Electric Scooters and Electric Wheelchairs).

Where can I use the Shopmobility Equipment?

The Shopmobility service is mainly intended to enable those struggling with their mobility to access the shops and amenities in Douglas town centre.

However, the equipment can be used throughout the Island. We just ask that you respect the limitations of the equipment you are using – our wheelchairs and mobility scooters are not designed for off-road use.

Mobility scooters are permitted in most of the larger shops in Douglas. 

How long can I keep / use the Shopmobility equipment for?

Our Shopmobility service is mainly intended to enable those struggling with their mobility to access shops and amenities in the town centre. However, we are happy to assist those with a longer term need to use our equipment for up to 1 month.  We are not long term providers of wheelchairs or other mobility equipment.           

Long term loans of wheelchairs and other mobility equipment are available free of charge from the Dept. of Health & Social Care following referral.  Please speak to your GP or the Independant Living Centre or see the Disability Networks website for more information. 

          

Is there a minimum age to use Shopmobility equipment?

There is no minimum age for the use of our manual wheelchairs and other manual equipment. 

However, users of our powered equipment, i.e. mobility scooters and powered wheelchairs, are required to be 16 years of age in accordance with the requirements specified in our Insurance policy.

The Shopmobility Registration Form must be completed and signed by a responsible adult over the age of 18, who can be either the service user or their representative. 

Do I need a driving license or other qualification to drive a mobility scooter? Are there any other restrictions on their use?

You do not need a driving licence. Instruction on how to use our powered equipment is provided to everyone using the Shopmobility service

Our smaller scooters are Class 2 scooters with a maximum speed of 4mph, which are for use on pavements and footpaths but are not permitted to travel on the road.

We also have a number of larger Class 3 scooters, which are classed as ‘road scooters’. However, we ask that these are not taken on the roads in accordance with the advice from our insurers. These scooters have a maximum possible speed of 8mph, but please note that the maximum permitted speed in public areas is 4mph. 

Can a mobility scooter be transported by car?

We have a number of ‘Travel Scooters’ which can be dismantled to be transported in the boot of a car.

Are wheelchairs and mobility scooters allowed on buses and trains on the Isle of Man?

Please check with Isle of Man Transport for current accessibility information, either on their website or by calling them on 662525 

Can I have Shopmobility equipment delivered to my home?

No. All equipment must be collected from and returned to the Circa Centre in Douglas by the Service User. Please see details of the Centre opening hours on our Contact Us page.

For electric scooters and powered wheelchairs BOTH the Service User and the Equipment User (if different) MUST collect the equipment to enable instruction on the safe use of the equipment to be given. 

Can I take Shopmobility equipment off island?

This is at the discretion of the Circa Centre Manager and depends on individual circumstances and the availability of equipment at the time.    

Does CIRCA Shopmobility sell equipment?

No. Our equipment is available for short-term use only.   

Do CIRCA supply RADAR keys?

RADAR keys can be purchased from the CIRCA showroom at a cost of £3.50 each.