“An Open Welcome” was 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 today (Wednesday, 4 March), the guide shows how barriers for disabled staff and customers can often be removed without significant cost.
The BBPA said improving accessibility is essential if the sector is to strengthen its role at the heart of communities and unlock the economic potential of millions of disabled customers and their families.
Emma McClarkin OBE, Chief Executive of the BBPA, said: “Our pubs are national institutions; places where people connect, celebrate and find community. 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.”
The guidance highlights practical actions that any pub can take, from improving online access information and offering menus in large print or digital formats to adjusting layouts, increasing staff awareness and providing quieter spaces. It sets out how small changes can deliver a better customer experience while also supporting a more inclusive workforce.
The guide brought together pub companies, charities, accessibility experts and individuals with lived experience, all of whom contributed to the development of the guide. Their insight is reflected in real world case studies that show how inclusive design and employment can strengthen teams, widen customer reach and support growth.
Examples include the provision of safe, quiet spaces for employees with narcolepsy to rest and the promotion of guidance for neurodiversity among staff.
A copy of the guide can be found here: https://admin.beerandpub.com/media/ecpjwdf0/bbpa-accessibility-in-pubs-guide-final.pdf?e=DrU2gO
