Three Quarters of Eastleigh Shops Now Friendly for the Disabled

4.12.29pm UTC (GMT +0000) Mon 1st Nov 2004

Three Quarters of Eastleigh Shops Now Friendly for the Disabled

Eastleigh is leading the way for other communities in providing access for disabled shoppers to the town's centre so that many disabled people are now choosing to shop in the town in preference to Southampton and other nearby centres.

Those most involved in the Shopmobility scheme and the disabled access scheme in Eastleigh, including local campaigner Dolly Dawes, briefed Liberal Democrat President Simon Hughes MP together with Eastleigh MP David Chidgey and Hampshire MEP Chris Huhne about the success of the scheme.

More than three quarters of the shops in the town centre are now offering easy access to the disabled, up from about half of the shops two years ago, according to Eastleigh borough officials.

This increase has come about even though conditions for approval have become tougher: now, for example, the disabled have to be able to navigate in between display shelves easily. The disabled can drive to the car park above Tesco, and get a Shopmobility vehicle for just £1 a visit.

The scheme to promote disabled access has been hailed as a model for others to follow in recent comparisons, and its use has grown steadily over the last few years as access has improved. Over the summer months of July and August this year, more than 1,000 visitors used the Shopmobility scheme, an average of more than 100 a week.

Simon Hughes MP said: "This is an excellent scheme that is setting a high standard for others to follow. I was impressed by the dedication and thoughtfulness of the volunteers and staff".

David Chidgey MP said: "Eastleigh has become a trend-setter in setting standards of access to shopping facilities for the disabled. I am delighted that this local service has taken off so well and is now an established part of our civic life".

Chris Huhne MEP said: "Some business people saw the effort of removing obstacles to disabled people as all cost and no benefit, but the Eastleigh scheme has shown how sensible and reasonable measures can benefit both the disabled and the business community. There is now clear evidence that people are coming to Eastleigh from a wide area because it is so much easier for disabled people to shop here. Local businesses are benefiting from the scheme".

Mr Huhne added: "One of the good side effects of the Eastleigh scheme is that most local shops are already complying with the provisions of the Disability Discrimination Act, which is due to come into force this year."