NEW: Got questions about energy? Put them to Gary and Andrew from MSE's Utilities team during our energy-themed 'Ask An Expert' event. Check back here from Tuesday 9 August, 12pm
Disabled Access

1.5K Posts


Went into Habitat In Canterbury yesterday and asked to use the lift to go upstairs and was told there wasn't one. Does anyone know if this is true? I was really surprised as I thought a big store like that should have had some kind of access. Comments welcome please.
0
This discussion has been closed.
Latest MSE News and Guides
Replies
Having said that, my favourite coffee shop doesn't have disabled toilets (which they should have as they have normal ones, up two flights of stairs) and I'm reluctant to complain in case it's closed down! I can't see that happening with a store like Habitat though.
Regarding your coffee shop, ask a manager in-store, especially if you're on good terms with them. If they haven't got one, they may be able to suggest a nearby venue (pub, other cafe, etc) that allows their customers to use their loo.
Even my local Range (a bit like habitat, but much more downmarket) has a lift so that they can get their stock to the upper floor.
didn't you know? Disabled people are frigid virgins forever, who gasp at the mention of sex or anything innuendo
seriously though, I think alot of ablebodied people would get a shock if they peeped around the bedroom door - rumour has it us lot are more kinky than the ablebodies
OOOH shock horror. Do tell me more;) .I'm saying nothing!!!!
I visited Tesco Express in New Street, Bham a while ago and went up the escalator to their upstairs bit then came the problem of getting down because their down escalator wasn't working (having glaucoma, I find it difficult to see the edges of steps and an escalator can end up looking like a slope). I wandered over to the lift and found that the customer lift wasn't working either:mad: thankfully I spotted an assistant on the floor and asked him how I was supposed to get downstairs because I didnt want to be trapped in the shop and live on bread and washing powder until they fixed the lift and the escalator - he kindly allowed me to use the staff lift and even pressed the button for me so that I went to the correct floor rather than to the basement.
You should've seen the total horror on her face when I said "That'll do wonders for my personal life, then".:D
Regarding disabled access, to get back on topic, - my gripe is not being able to get into half the shops in Stony Stratford, because of some very high doorsteps, and in some instances several steps down to the door. That said though, it's a very old market town, so not easy to provide disabled access, I suppose.:(
Famously there was a parade of shops somewhere, possibly York (can't exactly remember ) that were on the news as adjustments could not be made as the buildings were hundreds of years old and structural alterations would have damaged the fabric of the building. many of the shop keepers made arrangements to serve customers in the street instead. That was fully compliant with the Act.
It is a misconception that every building everywhere must be accessible.
All views are my own and not the official line of MoneySavingExpert.