FOR the young and able-bodied, getting from one end of the giant Trafford Centre shopping centre to the other is barely given a second thought.
But for anyone with health or mobility issues, it can be a daunting prospect.
It’s certainly something my mum is now aware of, at the age of 78.
In recent years she has stopped going to big shopping centres due to the amount of walking involved. It’s a shame as she always used to love a trip out to places like the Trafford Centre.
She can now only walk short distances with the aid of a stick or trolley, but isn’t keen on being pushed in a wheelchair.
However, when I mentioned I’d like her to try the Trafford Centre’s mobility scooter scheme, she was more than willing to give it a whirl.
An electric scooter like this gives the user a bit more independence as they’re not relying on a carer to operate them. Although I did stay by mum’s side throughout the day to keep an eye on her.
Once booked, you arrive at your set time and collect the scooter from Guest Services, located adjacent to the Blue Badge spaces in Regent Crescent car park 13.
Driving to the Trafford Centre on a midweek morning in December at 10.30am (the shops open at 10am) I thought the car park would be pretty quiet, but we were surprised to find that most of the disabled spaces were already taken along the long run closest to the Guest Services entrance.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
'We must show personality and character'
LISANDRO Martinez has warned United’s players must show ‘personality and character’ in the coming weeks.
Any progress over the past few games has been brutally dismantled...
SEVERAL United supporters headed for the exit in the 64th minute after the ball zipped past Andre Onana for a third time. They had seen this before - just over a year ago.
'Inevitable ending' for Rashford's time at Reds
SKY Sports pundit and former United defender Gary Neville believes Marcus Rashford’s time at the club has an ‘inevitable ending’ after the forward was left out of Ruben Amorim’s matchday squad for a third consecutive game.
LEAKY ROOF INTERRUPTS AMORIM'S PRESS CALL
RUBEN Amorim's post-match press conference was interrupted by a leak in the ceiling yesterday.
WE DESERVE MORE FROM GAMES - MARTINEZ
LISANDRO Martinez believes United are ‘playing well’ and deserve more for their performances with Ruben Amorim in charge.
Boss refuses to blame United's set-piece coach
RUBEN Amorim admitted that United became nervous against Bournemouth from the moment they conceded a set-piece – and that the anxiety came from the stands as well as from the players.
'Everybody is so anxious, everyone in the club is tired of these moments'
RUBEN Amorim felt United were anxious from the first minute of their humbling by Bournemouth at Old Trafford.
City's 'low confidence' key for Villa
ASTON Villa manager Unai Emery has admitted his side felt they could take advantage of City’s lack of confidence during their 2-1 win over Pep Guardiola’s side on Saturday.
'We are not solid on the ball, we are not creating much and that defines the team at this moment'
CITY'S woeful run of form continued as the Blues slumped to a 2-1 defeat at Aston Villa on Saturday lunchtime.
FURY DECISION IS JUST 'NUTS'
PROMOTER Frank Warren was quick to express his dismay following Tyson Fury’s unanimous points loss to world heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk in Riyadh, describing the scoring as ‘nuts’.
