Pyramids Shopping Centre joins Purple Tuesday campaign
Showing its commitment to an inclusive shopping experience for all
Pyramids Shopping Centre has announced that it is taking part in Purple Tuesday, the UK’s first-ever national, accessible shopping day – a campaign which has been created to recognise the importance and needs of customers with disabilities.
Purple Tuesday launches tomorrow, 13 November, and is the first awareness initiative of its kind for shopping centres and retailers to acknowledge how they currently support people with both visible and non-visible disabilities, and how they can assist even further.
The campaign is not only helping to raise awareness but to also reinforce the message that businesses in the retail sector are fully committed to ensuring an inclusive and enjoyable shopping experience for everyone, each and every day of the year.
Pyramids has signed up to the government’s Disability Confident scheme, which helps employees successfully recruit and retain disabled members of the work force, as well as people with other health conditions.
The shopping centre has also made a long-term commitment to further improving an inclusive visitor experience, with the following facilities and services available all year round:
· Single-level shopping mall
· Automatic, bi-parting doors at main entrances
· Disabled toilet facilities
· Disabled parking accreditation
· Additional disabled bays in both car parks
· Centre management team are trained to help people with disabilities, as well vulnerable members of the community
· 12 months ago, quiet hours were introduced every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, where no music is played until 10am for the benefit of customers with sensory impairments
· The Pyramids website at www.pyramidsbirkenhead.com is also disability-friendly.
Many of the centre’s retailers are backing the campaign including USC, which has moveable card readers that are accessible for wheelchair users, alongside a lower-height till point. The store also has a disabled changing room and an audio loop.
The Andrew Collinge salon has a wheelchair-accessible entrance and customers with disabilities can enjoy a tailored experience during appointments, such as at the backwash sink. Tech Outpost – which has wheelchair ramps and every Monday helps with the Wirral Age UK One 2 One tech sessions – will be lowering its music for the day.
Derek Millar, centre director at Pyramids, said: “Almost 20% of adults in the UK have a disability, 80% of which have an invisible or hidden impairment. This means that an incredible four out of five disabled customers may require some sort of support.
“For our visitors who experience the world differently, we want to ensure that at Pyramids, we are providing the best customer service and accessibility we can to all members of the community.
“We are continually working with our retailers to look for ways to improve visitors’ experience as it’s hugely important to us that everyone feels comfortable,” continued Derek. “Making simple adjustments to our surroundings opens up new opportunities for those with ‘silent’ disabilities to feel much more at ease when out in public spaces.
“We are honoured to be part of such an inspiring and thought-provoking campaign, which is really bringing together the community here at Pyramids Shopping Centre.”
Purple Tuesday has been launched by disability organisation Purple, which provides support services to both disabled people and businesses, bringing both together with the aim of changing the disability conversation from one of disadvantage and inequality to one of potential and value.
The aim of the campaign – and subsequently its legacy – is to increase awareness of the barriers experienced by disabled people to encourage sustainable changes in business practice that improve customer experience over the long-term.
Mike Adams OBE, CEO of Purple, says: “We’re delighted that Pyramids Shopping Centre 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.”