Olney Mayor wants towns and villages to be more like Milton Keynes for disabled shoppers.
The Mayor of Olney has called on local towns and villages to be more like Milton Keynes when it comes to making their shops more accessible to disabled people.
Debbie Whitworth, who is also an MK City ward councillor, says that making it easier for people with accessibility issues to go shopping could increase annual takings for businesses.
And she has outlined a list of simple ways in which shops, restaurants and public areas can make life easier for people with accessibility needs.
Debbie, who is a wheelchair user, says it’s estimated that high street shops in the UK lose out on £267 million by failing to make their services accessible, and a further £163 million is lost by inaccessible restaurants, pubs and clubs.
“Accessible customer service is when businesses provide services that will enable or empower individuals with disabilities to engage with them, and the decisions they make can have a significant impact,” said Debbie. “So instead of turning disabled or visually impaired people away they can attract new customers.”
The councillor says Milton Keynes’s recent ‘Purple Tuesday’ initiative was a great illustration of placing a focus on accessibility and inclusivity and says more towns and villages should follow the city’s example.
“The recent Purple Tuesday event highlighted the need to improve shopping experiences for disabled people in cities, and centre:MK has certainly done a lot to help everyone enjoy going to the shops.
“So, for 2025 I’m asking business owners and the independents to assess and address the way they consider accessibility and together let’s ensure inclusivity is an integral element when looking to improve on customer experience and footfall in our towns, such as Olney.”
She said simple measures can be introduced by shops and businesses, including ensuring they are accessible by ramp, have floors that are free from trip hazards and steps, have a ‘press for help’ bell, are well-lit and offer contact payment machines that can be removed from their cases.
