A cycle of success for market courier service

Hundreds of people struggling to carry home their market shopping have been given help by a new delivery service.

A month after its launch, Leicester's cycle courier service has been hailed a success.

It is now set to extend its delivery times.

The service was aimed at elderly and disabled shoppers who have difficulty getting around the city centre.

Fruit and vegetables are delivered for free by bike, straight from Leicester's market to residents' homes, anywhere within the city.

The scheme's stall on Leicester Market, near the Market Place Approach entrance, is open on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, from 10am to 2pm.

An average of 15 people a day have used the service, and the numbers are growing.

However, from November 29, anyone will be able to have items delivered for a fee of £2 on a Saturday.

It is hoped those who pay will help cover some of the costs of free delivery for the vulnerable.

The scheme is thought to be one of the first of its kind anywhere in the country.

Tim Hudson, of Groundworks, which is helping to run the service, said: "It has been a great success, and I think this is because the scheme is so unique.

"About 15 people a day have been and what seems to be happening is, as more try the service they tell their friends.

"As a result, from November 29, we have decided to extend the scheme and have a trial Saturday service for all. It is hoped the money made from this would pay towards running the free service."

The courier service is a two-year, £35,000 pilot scheme funded by Leicester City Council and run together with Groundwork Leicester and Leicestershire, formally Environ.

The couriers are both from Bikes4All, Groundwork's cycling enterprise, which helps 16 to 19-year-olds get into employment.

Those who are not registered on the scheme simply need to join ShopMobility, which is free, before they sign up for the courier service. There are initially places for 500 people.

A similar scheme has proved popular in Derby, where Vegetable Pedallers is run from an organic food co-operative called Sound Bites.

Westcotes city councillor Sarah Russell chairs the task group that came up with the idea.

Market traders had been calling for this kind of action to help shoppers after bus stops were moved further away from the market.

Councillor Russell said: "We are delighted about how the scheme has gone, and we have also received some great feedback.

"In the long term we want it to be sustainable and to do this we will look at other ways to extend it.

"This could include fitting the bikes with storage and refrigeration space to include deliveries from the cheese, meat and fish part of the market."