A CHARITY will be withdrawing its Shopmobility service in Boscombe next year.

SEDCAT says demand for the service at Boscombe's Sovereign Shopping Centre has "dwindled" in recent years, making it difficult to continue the service with "limited resources and increased running costs".

However a replacement scheme run by a business within the centre is due to take over on March 31.

SEDCAT said it does not have the funds necessary to invest in the existing service and draw in more users without compromising its other services or using up its reserves.

Its chief officer Sue Leighton said: "It has been a difficult decision and one that will disappoint a number of people who use the service, but we are confident that the mobility needs of Boscombe shoppers will continue to be met.

"We will work with the Sovereign Centre to ease the transition of the new Shopmobility service which will take over the provision in the centre."

Centre manager Peter Ruscoe said store Lifestyle and Mobility plans to run a new Shopmobility scheme from the day SEDCAT departs, covering Mondays to Saturdays between 9am and 5pm.

"Shopmobility has helped to ensure the centre and Boscombe is accessible for all so we’re delighted a provision will remain in place," he said.

"We would like to thank the team at SEDCAT for the fantastic service they have provided over the years."

SEDCAT run the BAT bus in Bournemouth - a low cost accessible community bus service which gets people out shopping and on trips.

The BAT bus will continue to drop members off at the Sovereign Centre as before.

Other services run by SEDCAT include Castlepoint Shopmobility, the Hospital Hop and Community Cars, which help people get to essential healthcare and leisure appointments.

For more information on the charity call 01202 598295 or visit www.sedcat.org.uk