Disabled Access

LameWolf

I fully accept that it's not always possible to provide access - it's a darned nuisance though, when we need something, hubby has to go in and get it, and I have to wait outside, but there we are; it's not too awful as long as it's not raining, I suppose.:eek:

One thing that does make me very cross is some shops that you can quite happily get into, but you can't manoeuvre (sp?) round because of stuff placed in the aisles - baskets containing special offer goods, for instance.

linni

Thanks for all your comments. I too wondered how they got all the big furniture upstairs if they did not have a lift! I have sent them an email asking if they do have a lift but so far they have not replied. I cannot find an email address for their Head Office so I may have to write a letter...

somebody_else

soolin wrote: »

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.

I think the shops you're talking about is The Shambles, in York. Yes, I think we all accept that there are places that can't be adapted, and you're right a lot of them will bring goods outside in order to help. But... [you knew there was going to be a but, didn't you?] there are also some places where they don't want to make any adjustments and so hide behind any excuse they can think of. Which is silly really 'cos they lose out in the end - there are a few businesses that won't get any money from me because of their attitude to disable people.

LameWolf

somebody_else wrote: »

I think the shops you're talking about is The Shambles, in York. Yes, I think we all accept that there are places that can't be adapted, and you're right a lot of them will bring goods outside in order to help. But... [you knew there was going to be a but, didn't you?] there are also some places where they don't want to make any adjustments and so hide behind any excuse they can think of. Which is silly really 'cos they lose out in the end - there are a few businesses that won't get any money from me because of their attitude to disable people.

There's also the places (and I can think of an example:mad: ) where they got a grant from the local council to put in a lift so that wheelchair users could attend the theatre, and the money "disappeared" somewhere. Never did get to the bottom of that.

fedupconsumer

Its a national disgrace to be honest a lot of stores are failing customers and illegally doing so in a lot of cases. Also there is a huge problem of stores piling stock in aisles making it impossible for wheelchairs to negotiate its shocking that companies cannot sort even these basic flaws out.

Amberdarcy

It isn't like the Habitat in Canterbury is the most attractive building in the city - it isn't listed or anything. Useful to know that access is restricted though.

bizywizy

Ohhh I didnt know that about habitat canterbury.

I will have to visit now. And if they dont then I am definately one for writing to head office which I suggest you do too.

Thats very wrong indeed.

Surely they have a service lift. I know that Boots in Ashford uses their service lift for buggies and wheelchairs as they dont have any actual access.

What annoys me more is the ones with escalators up but stairs down.

Peacocks in ashford is like that and actually Boots is the same too. And BHS (but in fairness they do have a lift)

I find going down harder than the going up alot of the time so thats perhaps why I notice.

But I thought all shops had to have disabled access to all levels.

Bart

fedupconsumer wrote: »

Its a national disgrace to be honest a lot of stores are failing customers and illegally doing so in a lot of cases. Also there is a huge problem of stores piling stock in aisles making it impossible for wheelchairs to negotiate its shocking that companies cannot sort even these basic flaws out.

My local co-op and W.H.Smiths do that with displays just at the end of the isles. They topple over quite easly when I hit them with my wheelchair:rotfl: :rotfl: :eek:

allydowd

linni wrote: »

I cannot find an email address for their Head Office so I may have to write a letter...

Head Office:

42-46 Princelet Street
London
E1 5LP

Customer Services:

08444 99 1111

Email address:

Store.canterbury@habitat.co.uk

Bart

Hi Linni. All I can say is DO NOT go to Rye it's hell on earth for wheelchair users, narrow paths steps into/out of shops pubs etc. Mind you it's good fun going down the hill!!!!