Pubs still unaware of DDA obligations
Licensees are being reminded that they need to ensure they meet the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA).
It has now been a year since the legislation, which requires all premises to meet the needs of disabled customers, came into force.
But over the last month, Spirit Group has been forced into negotiations with the Disability Rights Commission. The pubco is being threatened with court action over "the lack of an accessible toilet" at the Shirley Inn in Croydon, Surrey.
Figures published by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) found that awareness of the DDA among small employers has risen only slightly over the past year, from 58 per cent to 63 per cent.
This suggests that almost four in 10 pubs are still unaware of their legal responsibility to take reasonable steps to make their premises and facilities accessible to disabled customers.
More worrying is The Publican's own research. In this year's Market Report only 58 per cent of licensees stated that they had taken action to improve the accessibility of their premises to disabled people.
It's not all bad news, however - 23 per cent of licensees said they had made building alterations and 22 per cent claimed they had installed disabled toilets.
But licensees need to ensure they are adjusting their premises so they are accessible to disabled customers or they could face court action and large fines.
Tony Payne, chief executive of the Federation of Licensed Victuallers' Associations, suggests all licensees should conduct an audit detailing the accessibility and plans for the premises.
"People should have had an audit done already," he said. "If you have not got the facilities you should detail what is reasonable to do. You cannot always get planning permission either."
