Why being accessible is good for your pub - BBPA publishes new guidance to help pubs welcome those with access needs

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A new guidance document published by the BBPA provides an essential guide on how to make British pubs as accessible as possible. The guide has been given a warm welcome and a call to action from legendary Paralympian, Dame Tanni Grey Thompson, who has written the foreward.

logo fo British Beer and Pub AssociationA new guidance document published by the BBPA provides an essential guide on how to make British pubs as accessible as possible. The guide has been given a warm welcome and a call to action from legendary Paralympian, Dame Tanni Grey Thompson, who has written the foreward.

An open welcome - Why being accessible is good for your pub, is available on the BBPA website and highlights the benefits of making a pub venue as accessible as possible for disabled customers, and why being accessible is good for business, too.

Over one quarter (27 per cent) of the UK population have a long-standing health problem or disability. The guides sets out a range of practical steps pubs can take to help, as well as advising on how to provide an ‘access statement’ to ensure that the information customers need is in place, so they know what to expect from a venue.  Information is one of the most useful things that a pub can provide to customers with access needs.

Issues such as staff training, improving physical access, signposting and liaising with local authorities are all covered, alongside several case studies from BBPA members showing how taking action has improved their business and helped customers.

Writing in the guide’s foreward, Dame Tanni Gray Thompson DBE, says:

“With visitors coming from all over the world, there has never been such a good time for the Great British Pub to capitalise on its reputation as the home of hospitality and be as accessible as possible to all ... Be inspired by the tips and examples of best practice in this booklet and see what you can do, because if there is one specific and tangible legacy that this year’s Olympics and Paralympics can leave behind, it is one of access and inclusion for all. 

Brigid Simmonds, Chief Executive of the British Beer & Pub Association, adds:

“I want to thank Tanni and partners from VisitEngland and Tourism for All who have helped to produce this new guide and to BBPA members who have provided case studies.

“Pubs are rightly praised for their warm welcome and excellent service. With over ten million people with access needs in England alone, this guide provides a handy reference tool for publicans and their staff on how to go that extra mile in making all customers feel welcome.”

Photo: At the launch of the 'Open Welcome' Guide on 31st July 2012, Duke of York pub, Borough, London. 

Back: Jonathan Neame (Chief Executive, Shepherd Neame), Brigid Simmonds (Chief Executive, BBPA) and Ross Calladine (Ross Calladine – Skills, Welcome & Accessibility Manager, VisitEngland)

Front, Sir William Lawrence (Chairman, Tourism for All), Dame Tanni Grey Thompson

photo from public launch of BBPA guide


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