Town Centre Accessibility Archives

Out-of-town Developments: Are they a more accessible option for disabled people?

On May 11, 2023 / Access, Front Page, News

Out-of-town Developments: Are they a more accessible option for disabled people?

Having read with interest a recent report on BBC News about Out-of-town developments affecting town centre trade we write today with some
thoughts on the debate between out-of-town shopping developments versus the traditional town centres. An aspect of this debate that is
often overlooked is access for disabled people.

Accessible Wales are big supporters of the traditional town centre, with many friends owning or working in businesses on the high-street. They can be the heart of a community, bustling with shops, cafes, and other amenities. However, they can pose significant challenges for disabled people.

Principal Consultant, Richard Jones believe that out-of-town developments have huge benefits for disabled people, but also makes the following comment:

I am a big supporter of the town centre and would strongly urge decision makers to invest more time and money in improving access. If thought was put in to the access and provision in a town centre and disabled people were engaged with a big difference could be achieved.

Accessible Wales is willing to work with any business or town planner to help improve access as are many other access consultants and access groups, it’s just a case of reaching out and engaging. Download a fully copy of our statement here , for more information contact us using the contact us page.

Online Town Centre Accessibility Forum – Aberdare

On September 28, 2020 / Access, Disability Information, Events, Front Page, News

Let’s Talk Access

Statue of Caradog surrounded by new COVID19 barriers.

There have been many stories in the media about the potential decline in the town centres throughout the country. With the current COVID19 restrictions in place people are shopping more online and out of town for convenience and personal safety.

In 2007 Accessible Wales worked with Rhondda Cynon Taff local authority and traders in Mountain Ash to carry out a “Town Centre Access Improvement Project”. During this project the local authority commissioned Accessible Wales to carry out access audits for those businesses to help them to improve their access for disabled people.

We are now proposing to work with businesses in the eight town centres to help improve access for disabled people. Starting with an online forum ror businesses based in Aberdare on Thursday 5^th November at 10am for more information you can download the flyer here.

Following on from this meeting more events will be scheduled for businesses in Ferndale, Llantrisant, Mountain Ash, Pontypridd, Porth, Tonypandy, Treorchy. The project will then be evaluated and before rolling out to other local authorities.

This forum will be an opportunity to discuss what each business thinks are the key access issues in their area, and any potential access issues their business may have.

Principal Consultant Richard Jones working in Accessible Wales before lockdown restrictions

Principal Consultant Richard Jones says:

This is a great opportunity to engage with local businesses in the town centre to help improve access for disabled people. The online forum will be an independent vehicle to help start to make access improvements in Aberdare, with a view to it being rolled out to the other town centre and beyond.

Now more than ever it is important for small local businesses to do as much as they can to keep their doors open. We want to do as much as we can to help.

If you would like to know more about the services we offer please either get in touch with us via 01685 810432 or email info@accessible.wales.