Congleton Town Council Disability Welcome Scheme Launched

Congleton Town Council has launched its Disability Welcome Scheme for local shops and businesses, to encourage businesses to become more accessible, and help disabled people to shop and visit local pubs and cafés.

The council worked with its Equal Access Advisory Group to conduct a survey that found 87% of disabled respondents had accessibility challenges in Congleton Town Centre. More than 50% said that businesses were ‘not well informed’ about the needs and challenges faced by individuals with disabilities.

The Equal Access Advisory Group is a team of local people that uses lived experience to provide insight and advice on accessibility matters to the council. Based on this input, together with best practices from disability charities and organisations, the town council has created a checklist of accessibility measures that businesses can undertake to help disabled people access their products and services.

Dr Deborah Lawson, Chair of the Equal Access Advisory Group explained:

“According to the DWP, 24% of people in the UK are disabled, and these people, and those shopping alongside them, have the right to access shops, cafés, and other businesses just like anyone else. Many of the measures in the checklist are simple but make a huge difference, such as providing large-print pricing, keeping aisles clear for wheelchair users, providing a temporary ramp, or ensuring staff know how to assist someone who lip-reads. The combined spending power of households with at least one disabled person (known as the Purple Pound) is worth approximately £274 billion per year to the UK economy, so when businesses take these steps, they not only improve accessibility but also become more welcoming to a wider customer base, which benefits everyone.”

If Congleton businesses can tick off enough items on the list, they will be awarded a ‘Disability Welcome’ window sticker and certificate, and be included in a planned Disability Guide to Congleton. 

Cllr Kay Wesley, Congleton Town Mayor said:

“Many thanks to the Equal Access Group for providing the expertise to inform this initiative. So far we’ve dropped many of our Disability Welcome leaflets off in town centre shops, and the reception has been really positive.

“Of course, there are challenges with some of these old buildings; it can be difficult to deal with steps and narrow shop spaces, but even so, for most things there is a workaround.

“Detachable ramps are inexpensive, as is a bell to ring to request assistance.  Many of the shop owners felt the list was very useful and they intend to tick it off and return it to us to get their window sticker. Thank you to everyone for your enthusiasm so far.”

The list is being distributed as a leaflet, is available at the Congleton Information Centre in the Town Hall, and can be downloaded from here: 

Town Council’s website

Any business with a shop front is invited to complete the checklist and apply for ‘Disability Welcome’ status.

Pictured - Officer Cathy Dean Cllr Suzy Firkin, Mayor Kay Wesley and Consort Mike Wesley with Disability Welcome leaflets.