Sponsorship deal supports city centre accessibility for all

Councillor Joyce Korczak Fields receives a cheque from Kathryn Shillito. Also pictured (from left) are Sally Lewis of Travel Extra, Jim Harris and Bill Murray.

HULLBID and St Stephen’s Shopping Centre have made donations to support Travel Extra, which operates from the transport interchange and provides a vital service for disabled people and people with reduced mobility.

The funding has been welcomed by operators of the service, and by an access consultant who has highlighted the benefits to businesses of making their premises and services.

Kathryn Shillito, HullBID City Centre Manager, said: “The value of the Purple Pound, the term used for the spending power of disabled people and their companions, is estimated by the Department of Work and Pensions to be £249 billion every year and the work of Travel Extra gives city centre businesses a better chance of meeting the needs of disabled customers.”

Travel Extra opened in 2009 and provides equipment including mobility scooters, wheelchairs and walkers for hire on an ad hoc and membership basis. The centre also operates the Hull Cycle Hub.

Bill Murray, manager of the service said demand is increasing from local residents and from visitors.

He said: “We’ve had a very busy start to the year and we expect that to continue. We generate income from our hire charges and from our membership fees but sponsorship is very important when it comes to maintaining the equipment and the service and we’re very grateful to St Stephen’s Shopping Centre and to HullBID.”

Kathryn Shillito, HullBID City Centre Manager, said the city centre has become more accessible as a result of the completion of the public realm works, providing an opportunity for more people to visit the city centre and for businesses to generate more trade.

She said: “Travel Extra is an excellent facility which makes it a lot easier for less mobile people to make their way around the city centre and enjoy the shops, bars, restaurants and many attractions in the same way as anyone else.”

Ian Streets, Managing Director of Anlaby-based About Access and a member of the Hull Access Improvement Group, said: “Accessibility for all people within Hull city centre has improved considerably as a result of the works, with the result that people hiring a scooter at the transport interchange can reach many areas in much greater comfort than before.

“The challenge is to keep improving and to make sure that businesses can accommodate disabled visitors properly once they arrive in the city centre. The figure of £249 billion is based on the spending power of disabled people and their companions, because most of them are usually accompanied by family or friends.

“Travel Extra is playing a big part and the sponsorship is great news. The businesses that are accessible will see the benefits.”