Shopmobility St Albans lends electric scooters and wheelchairs free of charge for the day, from its base in Drovers Way Car Park, so a parent who can no longer walk far can still get round the city centre. Pair that with the right parking, a Blue Badge or the council's Access Permit for residents aged 70 or over, and a trip into town becomes a realistic plan again.
To talk anything through with someone local, our St Albans team is on 01727 324 127.
A shorter walking distance often arrives quietly. The walk itself is rarely the only problem: it is the parking, the distances between shops and the worry of getting tired halfway round. Most of those worries have a practical answer in St Albans. If balance and falls are part of the picture, our article on later life care at home in St Albans covers staying steady and independent.
What does Shopmobility St Albans offer?
St Albans and District Shopmobility is based at Drovers Way Car Park, Drovers Way, St Albans, AL1 3JE. According to its website, the charges are simple:
- Electric scooter hire is free on a daily basis during office opening hours.
- Wheelchair hire is free on a daily basis during office opening hours.
- Longer term wheelchair hire is available for £1 a day.
Its usual opening hours are:
- Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday: 9.30am to 4pm
- Tuesday and Thursday: 10am to 2pm
- Sunday: closed
Note the shorter Tuesday and Thursday hours. The office is on 01727 819339 if you want to check anything first.
How do you join Shopmobility St Albans?
Membership registration is required before hiring. The membership page says annual membership costs £10, and you need to bring 2 forms of ID.
Accepted ID includes a Blue Badge, driving licence, passport, utility bill, bank statement or bus pass. The form takes about 5 minutes, and a photograph is taken for the membership card.
Parking near Shopmobility St Albans: the Access Permit
St Albans City and District Council offers an Access Permit for council car parks for older residents. The main points:
- It costs £195 a year.
- It allows parking for up to three hours, once a day.
- You must be 70 or over, live in the district as your main residence, and be the registered keeper of the vehicle.
- A household can have a maximum of 2 permits.
The listed car parks include Drovers Way and Russell Avenue multi-storeys. You apply online through the council's PermitSmarti system, uploading proof of age and address. A paper clock then arrives by post, and the permit is not valid until it does. Customer Services is on 01727 866100.
Blue Badge parking in St Albans
The council's Blue Badge parking page says holders can park free for the first three hours in all its off-street car parks.
Other points from the same page:
- On-street disabled bays and pay and display bays are free with no time limit, unless a time plate says otherwise.
- Single and double yellow lines allow up to 3 hours free, except where loading restrictions apply.
- Set the clock to your time of arrival.
- The lifts at Drovers Way and Russell Avenue multi-storey car parks run daily from 8:00am to 6:00pm, with no lift access outside those hours.
If your parent cannot manage stairs, plan to be back at the car before 6pm.
Can someone with dementia get a Blue Badge?
Hertfordshire County Council says you can now apply if you have a non-visible condition that severely affects you, such as autism or dementia. A Hertfordshire Blue Badge costs £10 and lasts up to 3 years. Applications are made online through GOV.UK, and paper forms are available from libraries and Citizens Advice offices.
Going along: how a companion carer can help
Equipment and parking solve part of the problem. The other part is company: someone to walk alongside the scooter, carry the bags and notice when a rest is needed.
Accompanying people to appointments and on outings is part of our companionship care. A carer can go along to the shops, a café or the market at an unhurried pace.
A regular outing can lift the whole week: choosing your own shopping and feeling part of town life again.
How home care fits around trips into town
Our later life care is CQC-regulated home care built around familiar carers, consistent visit times and a care plan agreed with the family. A regular weekly outing can sit inside that plan, alongside help at home.
Visiting care is from £34 an hour, and live-in care is from £255 a day (couples from £295 a day). These are starting rates, and a price is agreed after an assessment.
Our St Albans team knows the city and the surrounding villages, from Marshalswick and Jersey Farm to Sandridge. You can reach them on 01727 324 127 or at stalbans@starlinghomecare.co.uk, and read more on our home care in St Albans page.
Common questions about Shopmobility and parking in St Albans
Is Shopmobility St Albans free?
Daily scooter and wheelchair hire is free during office hours, and longer term wheelchair hire costs £1 a day. Annual membership costs £10.
Where is Shopmobility in St Albans?
It is in Drovers Way Car Park, AL1 3JE, on 01727 819339. It is closed on Sundays.
Who can get the St Albans Access Permit?
District residents aged 70 or over who are the registered keeper of the vehicle. It costs £195 a year for up to three hours, once a day.
How long can a Blue Badge holder park in St Albans council car parks?
The first three hours are free in all council off-street car parks.
A trip into St Albans need not end because the walk has grown too long. With a scooter at Drovers Way, sensible parking and good company, many parents keep enjoying the city on their own terms.
Details checked against St Albans and District Shopmobility, St Albans City and District Council and Hertfordshire County Council pages on 19 October 2026. Our prices are starting rates, checked on the same date.
Arranging Care Is Simple
Starting care can feel like a big step. We keep it calm and straightforward, and we are here to guide you from your very first call.
1. Talk to us
Get in touch by phone or request a callback. We will listen, answer your questions and help you understand the options, so you can decide what feels right in your own time.
2. A home visit and initial consultation
We arrange a visit to understand your routines, your home and what matters most to you. Together we agree an initial consultation and shape the support that feels right.
3. Your care begins
A small, familiar team starts your care, arriving at the agreed times and staying involved as your needs change. We remain your trusted adviser throughout.
Whenever you are ready, we are here to help.