Dalton Park supports the UK’s first accessible shopping day

On Tuesday 13^th November Dalton Park will officially join the campaign to promote awareness about disabled customers, highlight the difficulties existing shoppers face and measures that can be put in place to overcome them.
Dalton Park is committed to ensuring accessibility for all and there’s lots we already do including providing disabled toilets, shopmobility services, a hearing loop in Customer Services, as well as a Cineworld that offers Autism Friendly Screenings. We also supported our local community by assisting the local Parish Council in gaining accreditation to become a “Dementia Friendly Community” 
Purple Tuesday marks the start of a few new initiatives at the centre. Training programmes will be rolled out for all customer service staff at the centre as well as installation of “Not all disabilities are visible” signage at its accessible toilet facilities. We are also in the process of recruiting disabled mystery shoppers and looking at ways to introduce a quiet shopping period once a month starting in 2019.
To raise awareness on the day, we will be switching all of our entrance lights to purple with additional signage and posters shared across the centre.
About Purple Tuesday
Since launching its initiative in August 2018, leading disability organisation Purple has secured more than 500 sign-ups from established and up-and-coming retail organisations keen to secure their share of the Purple Pound – worth an estimated £249 billion.
Endorsed by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), Purple Tuesday is a call-to-action for retail businesses to make shopping more accessible for disabled customers – not just because it’s the right thing to do, but because it’s also good for business.
Securing custom from the estimated 12 million disabled people living in the UK makes commercial sense. Shoppers are also encouraged to show their support by visiting their local shopping centre or high street on the day.
The initiative also enjoys support from Sarah Newton, Minister of State for Disabled People, Health and Work, who will attend the purple lighting-up of key London landmarks on the day.
Beyond the 13th November awareness day, Purple will work alongside organisations to support implementation of commitments made, including customer service training and providing support to increase accessibility of websites and other online technology. Wider support includes physical access audits, improved signage and increasing the involvement of disabled mystery shoppers.
Mike Adams, CEO of Purple, says: “We’re delighted that Dalton Park is supporting the Purple Tuesday campaign to promote better accessibility for disabled shoppers. This is a collaborative campaign that extends far beyond one day, and it’s vital that retail organisations come together to make shopping more pleasurable and efficient for everyone.”