Milton Keynes businesses have reaffirmed their commitment to accessibility and inclusion following this week’s Purple Tuesday celebrations — the global movement focused on improving the customer experience for disabled people.
The city centre once again lit up purple, co-ordinated by MyMiltonKeynes BID as part of its award-winning Our Purple City project. The initiative aims to make Milton Keynes the UK’s first truly “Purple City”, where accessibility is built into every visitor experience.
This year’s activity centred on listening to lived experiences and turning feedback into action. To support this, the BID launched a new accessibility survey, inviting residents, visitors and workers to share their views on how inclusive the city centre feels today and what improvements they would like to see.
MyMiltonKeynes has also commissioned an AccessAble assessment of the redesigned Station Square, which will form part of the wider Milton Keynes City Centre AccessAble Guide launched earlier this year. The BID has renewed its funding for Purple365 Accessibility Training, ensuring member businesses can build staff confidence and awareness around accessibility all year round.
In addition, the BID has written to city centre businesses promoting its Accessibility Grant, which covers up to 50% of the cost (to a maximum of £1,000) for producing their own AccessAble Venue Guides. These guides sit within the main city centre resource, helping disabled visitors plan their trips more effectively.
Across Milton Keynes, partners are making accessibility a shared goal. Centre:mk has become the first UK shopping centre to deliver Unseen Aware training to all staff and retailers, supporting people with unseen disabilities. It has also added a sensory room, Changing Places toilet, and sunflower lanyard scheme.
MK Theatre has delivered 16 accessible performances in the past year, including BSL-interpreted, audio-described and relaxed shows. It continues to partner with influencers to promote inclusive theatre experiences.
Jill Farnsworth, Chief Executive of MyMiltonKeynes BID, said: “Our Purple City is a journey we’re all on together. Our role as the BID is to co-ordinate the great work already taking place by City Centre businesses and bring together a cohesive plan and roadmap for how to achieve our shared ambition.”
