Pret a Manger has been criticised for opening a new shop in Harrogate that is currently inaccessible to wheelchair users.
Customers to the sandwich and coffee chain, which opened on Harrogate’s James Street on Friday, have to walk up two steps to enter.
Pret has said a permanent ramp cannot be fitted due “to the structure of the building”.
It added that a low-level bell has been fitted outside to alert staff to bring out a “purpose-designed portable ramp” when requested but it has not yet been delivered.
Local resident, Jeannine Fisher, contacted the Stray Ferret today after seeing a wheelchair user unable to get inside the shop. She said:
“It makes me very frustrated that we should exclude people from society. It beggars belief that a multinational company, who must clearly be aware of the guidelines, have neglected to create inclusive access.
“With everything else that wheelchairs users have to navigate in the town it feels so unfair that they are unable to do simple things that others can do such as having a coffee with their friends.”
Harrogate charity Disability Action Yorkshire offers accessibility audits to help businesses do all they can to be fully accessible.
Chief executive Jackie Snape said:
“It is very disappointing that Pret had not consulted with disabled people, or a disability organisation, about accessibility to its new James Street outlet. We would be more than happy to speak with the local team as to what they can still do to aid disabled customers.
“We do note, however, that Pret has a digital accessibility policy on its website, it’s just a shame there isn’t a store accessibility policy to match!”
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A Pret spokesperson said:
“We know how it important it is for customers in wheelchairs to have easy access to our shop.
“Sadly, in Harrogate we’ve been unable to fit a permanent ramp due to the structure of the building and its listed status. That’s why we’ve had a bespoke portable ramp designed to give our customers step-free access into the shop.”
