Businesses urged to speed up access improvements

Dania Lloyd urged businesses not to wait until 2028 to make accessibility improvements

There are growing calls for businesses to "speed up" improvements to their accessibility in St Peter Port.

Dania Lloyd has mobility issues and said she felt "forgotten" despite new anti-discrimination legislation.

Under the law, businesses have until October 2028 to make "reasonable adjustments" to their properties for accessibility.

Guernsey Disability Alliance's (GDA) social policy officer Carol Le Page urged businesses to "change quickly".

She said: "If someone is doing a big refurbishment we would expect they have their accessibility audit done and made the changes which are needed".

Ms Lloyd criticised the area near Guernsey's taxi rank as lacking accessible surfaces, as she walks with a stick.

"I have someone who can help me, but for others it's much more difficult. It's horrendous really", she said.

She's urged businesses not to wait until 2028 to make accessibility improvements: "The pace of change, how slow can a clock go? We're moving at one or two miles an hour."

Aindre Reece Sheeran said the council has to take the lead and start sorting its own buildings first

Accessibility consultant Aindre Reece-Sheerin also criticised the pace of change in St Peter Port.

He said: "This can be done nice and simply. I mean for example the idea of having a one-stop shop at Edward T Wheadon House was a mistake, it's not accessible at all."

Director of the Employment and Equal Opportunities Service (EEOS), Stephen Glencross said: "It is unlawful for service providers to discriminate against users of their services because of a protected ground disability, race, carer status, sexual orientation and religion or belief.

"However, the requirement to make reasonable adjustments for disabled persons that may involve making a change to a physical feature of a building won't come into force until 1 October 2028, giving duty-holders a five year period in which to prepare."

He said there is information on the EEOS website which will help businesses make the changes they need.

Emma Carter said making improvements is not as expensive as people may expect

Architect Emma Carter is a specialist in improving accessibility in buildings and has worked on projects like the Grow campus and supported living units at Nouvelle Marritaine.

She said: "Usually the challenges people perceive is the cost. The first thing comes to mind is things like a ramp and whether they have a space for that.

"But it's not just things like that, it's a whole array of inclusive aspects to think of in a design and they often don't cost a lot of money to do."

Ms Carter agreed there hasn't been "a huge wave of change that people may have expected."

But she suggested planning are now pushing accessibility and inclusivity aspects.

She said St Peter Port would provide particular challenges when it comes to making improvements.

"We have cobbled streets, steps into some buildings and there are things that can be done, but there is guidance there on what can be done, which may not initially come to your mind."