A Burton shopper has questioned the future of a listed building in Burton town centre which will be left empty following the controversial departure of Shopmobility and Mencap.

News that learning disability charity Mencap was asked by East Staffordshire Borough Council to move out of Crossley House, in Manor Croft, near the Market Place, after more than 50 years, has sparked criticism from many elderly and disabled shoppers.

Mencap has run a café at Crossley House since the 1960s, but this will soon be stopping after the charity said town hall chiefs had asked them to leave the premises, claiming the borough council could no longer afford to run the shop. However, the cafe will remain in place until suitable alternative premises can be found.

The council has now told the Burton Mail that the building could be offered up for mental health services, which are currently lacking in the town.

The news comes as the borough council, which also owns the building, recently stopped its Shopmobility service from Crossley House. The shop hired out mobility scooters for £1.50 a day and was branded a “lifeline” for the elderly and disabled. Many say the closure has left them unable to shop in the town centre because of access issues.

Now, a 58-year-old shopper who did not want to be named, said she believes the council has made the move in a bid to sell off Crossley House.

She said: “No-one knows what is going on with Crossley House. What will the council do with it? I think they want to sell it off.

“I have been using Shopmobility for 10 years and I go into Mencap for a cup of coffee because I have known them about 20 years

“We are happy to pay a bit more than £1.50 but we don’t want to be held to ransom.

“There was talk of moving Mencap to the Market Hall but there is already a café there. Or moving it to Stapenhill but that is not in the town centre. Where is this duty of care towards the elderly and disabled?

“I can’t walk around Burton so my mobility scooter gave me a bit of independence."

A spokesman for the borough council said: "Crossley House itself will remain open for use by Mencap for the moment, and recommendations for the future use of the building will be made in due course.

"As part of exploring future uses it may be that the council offers up Crossley House as a safe space for mental health support services, as the town does not currently have such a facility."