High Chelmer shopping centre is joining retail businesses across the nation in marking Purple Tuesday, the UK’s first accessible shopping day.

Tuesday will see popular retail and leisure destinations across the UK join the campaign to promote awareness by highlighting the difficulties facing disabled shoppers and the measures that can be put in place to overcome them.

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. 

High Chelmer has been showing its commitment to further improving an inclusive shopping experience for a long time and over the last five years has carried out an accessibility audit of the centre, which is reviewed annually.

The shopping destination is also dementia-friendly accredited. 

The centre management team regularly attend seminars on disability-focused customer service training as well as participating in the city-wide ‘Keep Safe’ scheme.

High Chelmer also invites local community groups and organisations to raise awareness about a variety of topics including disability and mental health. 

Mick McDonagh, manager at High Chelmer, 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 High Chelmer, 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 Mick. “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 High Chelmer.” 

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 High Chelmer 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.” 

For further information on disability services and facilities at High Chelmer, please visit the shopping centre’s website which will be turning purple for the day at www.highchelmer.com.