The British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) has launched a refreshed Accessibility in Pubs guide, titled An Open Welcome.
It is supported by a host of businesses and organisations including Heineken, Star Pubs, Fuller’s, Licensed Trade Charity, Dementia Friends, Narcolepsy UK and Acas. It gives pub operators simple and effective suggestions to make venues even more accessible.
Launched at The Gun in Spitalfields, London, the guide shows how barriers for disabled staff and customers can often be removed without significant cost.
“Our pubs are national institutions, places where people connect, celebrate, and find community,” said Emma McClarkin, chief executive of the BBPA. “The open welcome we pride ourselves on is fundamental for us to remain a treasured part of our society.
“This guide is a blueprint for progress. Simple and thoughtful changes can transform someone’s visit, and clearer information alone can give disabled customers confidence to choose a pub they know will meet their needs.
“We know many have made real changes to improve their accessibility, yet there is always more work to be done, and this guide shows it needn’t be complicated or expensive to make changes that benefit all.”
A PDF copy of the guide is available here.
