Access for disabled shoppers inadequate

Published on 5th April 2007 in News

A new retail group is to look at the problem of access to local shops and businesses for the disabled.

At Monday's Goole Chamber of Commerce meeting, members heard that the Goole Area Access and Disability Group had contacted them after speaking to MP Ian Cawsey to ask what could be done to improve access.

The group feel that "access is practically non-existent" to some shops, especially small ones.

While shops assistants are very kind, and often come out to them, the group say they are not always able to speak to the owners, which mean things do not get done.

And, they ask, "Why should they have to do their shopping on the doorstep?"

Local businesses have already been asked to join a retail sub-committee, and this will address the problem of disabled access.

Helen Hoult, of Goole Renaissance (GR) stressed the importance of groups such as this for GR and said it would be a foundation that could be built on.

"By engaging with retailers we'll be able to work with what we have," she said.

Ms Hoult stressed that GR was making progress and said that they were getting involved in different areas, such as the community wardens and the improvements at Vermuyden School.

"The trouble with Goole Renaissance is that people can't see a lot of what we do," she said.