Tesco agrees lease for flagship Walsall centre
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Three units at Tesco's town centre store will be transformed into a flagship Independent Living Centre now that a lease has been agreed with Walsall Council.
The new centre, which is a £300,000 social care and health investment will also incorporate Shopmobility and will showcase the equipment, technology and aids that can support disabled, older and vulnerable adults to continue to live safely and independently at home.
Work has now started at the Tesco Walsall College Extra site and will be carried out seven days a week and out of hours to speed up the schedule. The centre is due to open before the end of this year.
The Independent Living Centre will improve upon the former Centre for Independent Living in Bridge Street and will offer people the chance to see equipment such as talking microwaves, wheelchair accessible hobs, bath lifts, riser chairs and curtain openers in proper room settings and the opportunity to try things out for themselves.
There will also be support from sensory support staff, occupational therapists and other professionals who will be able to provide advice, guidance, signpost to other services and shops and undertake assessments.
Telecare and Telehealth systems which can transform the lives of people with long term conditions such as heart disease, respiratory illnesses, diabetes and dementia, will be demonstrated.
These are also useful for people with a range of physical and learning disabilities.
Advice and information on everything from employment to health issues and workshops and drop-in sessions will also continue to be provided.
Councillor Adrian Andrew, Walsall Council cabinet member for regeneration, said: "This is fantastic news for residents and visitors to Walsall alike and makes all the hard work and negotiations that have gone into finding a suitable site worthwhile.
"The three units that Tesco has agreed to let us have will give us so much more scope to help people.
"I am particularly delighted that Shopmobility will benefit from a much better base after I have campaigned to find a new home for this valuable service that I have supported for a long time.
"To be able to offer so much support, advice and help all under one roof, at a new, easily accessible site will really make a difference to residents."
Councillor Barbara McCracken, Walsall Council cabinet member for social care and health, added: "The new centre is designed to make access to the wide range of equipment, aids and technology easily available for people.
"They will be able to try things out for themselves and speak to specialists face to face which means they will have a much better service.
"This is a flagship centre for Walsall and we are all proud to be associated with such an important project."
People who use Walsall Town Centre’s Shopmobility service are being advised that it will be moving to a temporary base from the end of October 2011.
Meanwhile, the Shopmobility unit in the Saddlers Shopping Centre will be closing at the end of October 2011.
The service will continue to be provided by the team from a temporary Shopmobility kiosk at the new Tesco Walsall College Extra Store.
This is at the junction of St Paul’s Street and Wisemore with car park access off Littleton Street.
The temporary Shopmobility kiosk will be on the first floor of the Tesco store, in between the travel agents and the toilets.
The most accessible disabled parking and drop-off point is on the upper level of the Tesco store car park which can be accessed off Littleton Street or Wisemore.
Taxi drivers can also drop-off and pick-up at the upper level car park store entrance.
Ring & Ride provides a drop-off and pick-up point at the side entrance to the Tesco store on Wisemore and there is a lift to the first floor shopping level.
People are asked to telephone in advance if they require equipment delivery and collection to the train or bus stations which can be provided between 9.30am-12 noon and 2pm-4pm.
Bookings or enquiries can be made on 01922 650781.
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