– by David Colley
Monday I went shopping in Sunderland. I love Sunderland. Which is a risky position to take sometimes, living as I do, north of the river.
But I digress. I popped into Debenhams. I wanted some kitchen stuff and to mooch for present ideas. So I headed straight for homeware on the top floor.
And came to a brisk stop. I could see a cornucopia of products ahead of me. A veritable Aladdin’s cave of kitchen ware, gadgets and enticing ‘stuff’. But could I find a way to get near it? Hell no!
Some bright spark had thought it would be good to put all the units, stock, and fittings so close together that it was impossible for a wheelchair user to see, or work out if, there was a way to get into the area to actually shop. The widths were appalling: lots under 65cm, some under 50 cm, and some as little as 30cm. Even Victoria Beckham would have to turn sideways and breathe in to get by! Me in my wheelchair didn’t stand a chance!
Now given that shopping, wheeling in and around town, in and out of buildings, would usually require an indoor/outdoor chair, which British Standards say are up to 70cm wide. And given British Standard 8300 on disability access and design, which says even a doorway should be 80cm wide for a wheelchair. Why do you think Debenhams has chosen to put their display stands as little as 30cm apart? Its a very effective barrier for us wheelchair users.
In fact, you’d be hard pressed to find a better one.
Except perhaps for the store manager who promised that he understood my “frustration”, and that he’d feed back my comments. So I had to leave. No shopping. No goods or services. Hold on, I think that phrase reminds me of some rule somewhere to do with Equality…
[And on the way out, even the wheelchair-accessible loo was out of order, bringing ignominy to upset].
In 2005 another wheelchair user, Mr Greg Jackson also pursued action against Debenhams for lack of wheelchair-access. As a result the company signed an agreement with the Disability Rights Commission to provide “disabled access’ in all its stores in England.
I wonder if they just forgot about that, then.
I am blind . And I do so understand your frustration with the aisles in Debenhams… same here in London.. same for all the big stores in fact. I would like to see all aisles kept totally free of these annoying and potentially dangerous displays.
I use a cane and find them a nightmare to get past. They are slap bang in the middle of the main customer routes…When you have women with pushchairs and crowds of people all trying to avoid them as well there is often less than inches to get past.
I have to admit have nearly knocked them over a couple of times trying to get past. ooppps sorry!!!!!!
Oh and lets not forget the advertising boards that are placed slap bang in the middle of the entrances or out in the streets. .I think a law should be brought in where all store and shop managers should be made to go round their premises blindfolded for a day using a cane… and another day in a wheelchair.. and just see what it is like in real life. i am not joking… if all aisles were kept clear for disabled people it would also improve access to the store for elderly people with canes.. mothers with pushchairs and all other members of the public..
So get rid of these displays and advertising boards… no one buys anything because of them.. they are just a discriminatory and potentially dangerous nuisance……put them where they belong… in the Managers office and see how he/she likes getting round them every day.