06/07/2006
The Arcadia Group – one of the country’s biggest clothing retailers – is facing court action for not making its Burton store in Stafford accessible to disabled customers, the Disability Rights Commission (DRC) revealed today.
The DRC says it is also concerned that other Arcadia stores in the country may be breaking the law – such as Top Shop, Top Man, Miss Selfridge, Dorothy Perkins, Wallis, Burton and Evans – after Arcadia admitted that 40% of its stores are not physically accessible to disabled people.
The DRC is supporting Joanne Holland, a 39-year old wheelchair user from Derbyshire, who is taking the clothing giant to court after not being able to shop for presents in her local Burton store because of a flight of steps. The store offered to bring goods to Joanne at the shop entrance which she found unacceptable.
The Arcadia Group is the second retailer to be taken to court following new duties introduced in 2004 under the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA). The court action is being taken under Part 3 of the DDA which requires shops and other businesses which provide services to the public, to take reasonable steps to remove physical barriers which make it unreasonably difficult for disabled people to receive a fair service.
Bert Massie, Chairman of the DRC said:
“One of the UK’s largest clothing retailers should be ahead of the game in making its shops user-friendly. As it is, nearly half of Arcadia’s stores are providing a second class service to disabled people.”
Ms Holland said:
“It’s ludicrous that I can’t shop with the same freedom as a non disabled person because there’s no alternative to a flight of stairs. Having goods that I can’t see to choose from brought down to me is not a reasonable alternative. In fact it’s a joke. It also puts pressure on me to buy. Such demeaning treatment has forced me to take legal action.”
Mr Massie continued:
“Arcadia should be doing much more for their disabled customers. Offering to bring goods out to Ms Holland might be acceptable for a small business with limited resources, but for Arcadia to be operating such practices is unacceptable.
“This court action will be crucial in spelling out what steps large retailers need to take to meet their legal duties.”
Notes to Editors
The Arcadia Group reported to the DRC that in February 2005 it had audited 50% of its 2,500 stores in the UK for access. Of these, 40% were physically inaccessible to disabled people.
Philip Green’s Arcadia Group reported an operating profit of £326 million in 2005.
The DRC is also taking legal action against Debenhams in Derby after Greg Jackson, a wheelchair user, was unable to get into part of its men’s section because of some steps. This case is ongoing.
The DRC is an independent statutory body responsible for tackling disability discrimination. We aim to bring about equality of opportunity and increased participation for the 10 million people in Britain who have rights under the Disability Discrimination Act.
