Blog Articles

Disabled facilities in shopping centres in the UK have improved significantly and with the introduction of the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) in 1996, Part III effective since 1999 service providers must make ‘reasonable adjustments’ for disabled people.

The aim of the disability act being to promote inclusive environments that can be used by everyone regardless of gender, disability or age.

Most shopping centres in the UK are now accessible and offer a range of disabled facilities. Obviously it is in the interests of the shopping centre to be as accessible as possible on order to attract more and more people through its doors as well as competing with Internet shopping. Shopping centres also want to allow people with a disability, access to the entire shopping centre to enable everyone to enjoy the range of shops and services on offer.

Many shopping centres have convenient parking with easy access to entrances, and automated doors to assist with getting in and out of the centre. Most large centres will have well signed dedicated disabled parking bays usually positioned as near to the centre as possible. Doors with opening controls at wheel chair height make it even easier for wheel chair users to access a building.

Anyone who has limited mobility can get around the shopping centre by using a wheelchair or scooter. Again many of the larger shopping centres take part in the Shopmobility scheme by making wheelchairs available to their shoppers. This free service provides manual and powered wheelchairs and scooters to aid people with limited mobility to shop and make full use of the shopping facilities in a town or city. Children’s pushchairs are also free to loan under the scheme.

It is also important to note that companies are spending a lot of money on making ‘reasonable adjustments’ to their facilities including areas such as the toilets. As well as making the centre more accessible, toilets should also be conveniently located and accessible for people with mobility impairments. Ideally accessible toilet facilities for disabled people should be dedicated, unisex, allow left/right transfer for the wheelchair user and have an adjustable changing table complete with power hoist. They should also be conveniently located throughout the shopping centre and be fitted with an emergency alarm.

Shopping centres in the UK have successfully promoted a more accessible built environment and improvement of facilities for disabled people by following good practice measures. This makes it both easier for disabled people to get around and as their needs are catered for it makes it easier to enjoy a day out.

Shopping centres in the UK also have to take into considerations shoppers with sensory impairments. For customers who are partially sighted the centre will often provide a larger print version of the shopping guide and map from the Customer Services Information Desk.

Hearing loop induction systems are also provided for customers using hearing aids.

When choosing a shopping centre to visit most shopping centres in the UK will have facilities in place for a disabled shopper. Before planning a shopping trip you may need to check online to see exactly what facilities they offer, alternatively give the customer services team a call, as they will usually be happy to help.

Ever been to a shopping centre and had a toddler screaming because they are completely bored…. Or how about squeezing into a changing room with two toddlers with sticky fingers wiping them on the beautiful silk dress that you haven’t even tried on yet?? More and more shopping centres in the UK are offering crèche facilities for parents who would like a little light relief while running around the shops. The shopping centres themselves recognise that you’re more likely to spend longer in the shops and hopefully make them more revenue if you know your children are safe and having fun close by.

If you are not sure what to look for in a crèche there are a number of guides which will help you decide. They should have had an ofsted report which will help you see officially the standard of the children’s facilities. Don’t forget you can always go along and have a thorough look around before you decide.

The ofsted inspection is designed to assure government, parents and the public of the quality of the childcare provided. They measure and make comment on a number of aspects of the crèche facilities including the location, the effectiveness of the provision of childcare, protection of children from harm or neglect, and helping them to stay safe. They also cover educational requirements, and measure the provision for helping children achieve well, and enjoy what they do and make a positive contribution.

They should have a main play area, many with state of the art stimulating environments with ball pools, soft play areas toys and games. Art and craft activities are usually on offer, which help to keep the children happy, and give them a reminder of the day they have had. You may even find some play stations, dance mats and DVD’s in some of the larger centres.

If you are looking for a party venue then the shopping centre crèche could be a viable option. Some offer exclusive use of a particular children themed room, with decorative party thrones, party hats and invitations, place mats, serviettes, plates and cups for the party food.

While the children are having fun at the crèche, you can visit some of the department stores or shops within the shopping centre. Most centres have at least 2 department stores, and a number of select shops from the main high street shops such as Next, Boots and Monsoon, as well as some unique boutique shops.

Alternatively to help you keep an eye out on your kids whilst shopping, shopping centres may offer a range of free facilities buggies and parent and baby facilities including baby changing facilities which will you pre-dominantly find in the washroom facilities of restaurants.

So whatever you are looking for from wedding presents, or the children’s birthday presents you can nip around the shopping centre, and get back to the car to stash the gifts while the children are safe and happily playing with friends.

Round 1# Okay folks this fight is underway. Manny! “Manny!” The crowd is chanting for the Pac Man Okay? De La Hoya misses with a big uppercut. Seeing them in the ring, Oscar is the taller of the fighters, but Manny has real muscle on him. Ooh! Manny lands a big shot to Oscar’s head! Manny is obviously the quicker fighter. Oscar throws a nice combination. Manny is on the attack and is moving more quickly. And Oscar gets Manny against the ropes! Oscar lands couple of big shots, but then Manny moves. A very entertaining first round and I give round 1 to Pacquiao.

Round 2# Oscar backs Manny against the ropes, but then Manny lands a good left. Oscar isn’t moving around nearly as well as Manny is, although Oscar is using his reach to his advantage when he can. Oscar is trying to back Manny against the ropes, while Manny is trying to keep the fight in the center of the ring. Oscar already has a welt on the side of his eye. Manny lands a body shot and then moves away before Oscar can answer it. Manny lands a big uppercut. Nice straight left hand from Manny. Manny has landed more punches in the second round and shown Oscar that he belongs in the tank. I give round 2 to Pacquiao.

Round 3# Oscar is trying hard to back Manny against the ropes but so far he can’t keep him there. Oscar throw’s a very hard right hand but can’t connect. Oscar finally backs Manny up and lands a good left hook, but again, Manny moves away and lands a solid punch in the middle of the ring. Oscar landed a shot to the belt line, and he’s showing some power, but Manny is just so much quicker that Oscar doesn’t have much of an answer. I give round 3 to Pacquiao.

Round 4# Freddie Roach has told Pacquiao, between rounds, “That Oscar was slow.”Big left hands from Manny to Oscar’s head hurt Oscar, although Oscar also landed a good straight right. Manny is coming in with his left hands, and they’re trading, with Manny getting the better of the exchange. Now Manny comes in with a right hook. Oscar backs Manny off with his best series of jabs so far in the fight. A big body shot and then a hard straight punch to the head for Manny. Manny is landing punches at will and moving away before Oscar can respond. I give round 4 to Pacquiao.

Round 5# Oscar lands a good right at the start of the round. Manny lands a good left and a good right, and then Oscar responds with an even better left and right. Manny is just abusing Oscar because he’s so much faster with both his hands and his feet. It’s a sensational showing for Manny, just peppering Oscar with punches all over the place. Good shot to the body by Oscar and then some left hooks to the head, and Oscar finally gets some offense going. It took him a long time, but Oscar finally showed Manny that he could do some damage. I call it even.

Round 6# Manny looks a little bit winded, but Oscar looks broken down. Harold Lederman has given the first five rounds to Pacquiao, has have I. Oscar is backing off and hoping to catch Manny making a mistake. Manny landed a punch that I thought was low, but the ref didn’t say anything about it. They’re mixing it up and Oscar is looking angry and frustrated with Manny’s superior hand speed. Manny lands another straight left, which Oscar isn’t able to block, even though he is keeping his hands up. A good combination from Manny late in the round, and I give round 6 to Pacquiao.

Round 7# Freddie Roach told Manny between rounds to keep the fight in the middle of the ring. Oscar threw a right hand that Manny was able to avoid. Manny is continuing to land effective punches and then back away before Oscar can do anything about it. Manny has Oscar trapped in the corner and is just toying with him. Manny is working Oscar over real good about now. Oscar seem’s to be baffled? he isn’t doing anything other than trying to cover himself up. I give round 7 to Pacquiao.

Round 8# Oscar’s corner is concerned and telling him that their going to throw in the towel if he doesn’t start throwing punches. Oscar swings and misses and Manny bashes him against the ropes. I don’t know if Oscar can take much more of this. Manny continues to just pummel Oscar against the ropes, and Oscar can’t do a thing about it. Give Oscar credit for staying up, but he just can’t do anything against Manny. Oscar gets some offense going and lands a few punches, but Manny doesn’t look hurt by them at all, and he comes right back and bashes Oscar in the corner. I give round 8 to Pacquiao.

Round 9# Whoa! And Oscar can’t answer the bell for the ninth round! It’s all over, “It not the size of the dogg in the fight, it’s the size of the fight in the dogg! And the Pac Man Wins by TKO!