x
RECEIVE BUSINESS MK FREE TO YOUR DOOR EACH MONTH, COURTESY OF ROYAL MAIL.
* indicates required

Businesses urged to back campaign to increase access for the disabled

The new Purple Tuesday day is dedicated to inclusive shopping and addressing the needs of disabled consumers in the run-up to Christmas. 

The aim is to enable and encourage shops and online retailers across the country to take steps to make their shopping experience more inclusive and accessible for disabled customers. The initiative also aims to inspire retailers to make long-term changes and improvements for disabled customers.

The day is being co-ordinated by the disability charity Purple

It says that the ‘Purple Pound’ spent by disabled customers is worth £249 billion a year yet only 10% of businesses have a targeted strategy to access this market, despite research that found disabled customers have a higher level of brand loyalty than any other customer group.

Purple Tuesday has the backing of Central Bedfordshire Council. Executive member for regeneration and business Cllr Nigel Young said: “Purple Tuesday is an opportunity to raise awareness amongst businesses and retailers in the area that attracting more custom from disabled people and their friends and families makes good business sense.

“Disabled people are vital contributors to the economy and improving access doe snot have to be complicated.

“We will be encouraging our local retailers and town centre managers to take up the Purple Tuesday challenge, and to help make Tuesday 13 November an accessible and inclusive success in this area.”

The exact nature of the commitment is up to each individual business but can be as simple as ensuring that aisles are not clogged with extra seasonal stock that restricts wheelchair access and having chairs near the check-out area to help the disabled people waiting in the long payment queues.

https://purpletuesday.org.uk/resources/ 


More from Bedford: