Increasing accessibility in the hospitality industry

Simon Barry, director, Boyer (an LRG company)

Accessibility is key to the success of any business, but perhaps none more so than within the hospitality industry. Many large pub companies (Pub Co) have a remit to improve accessibility to their venues for all, whether that is for disabled people, families with young children, elderly people, or anyone else who wants to enter a pub and requires safe access into them.

This drive to improve accessibility and inclusivity is important for the industry, however in the case of listed buildings this can present many challenges. Last year Boyer prepared and managed planning applications for about 50 pubs, and over 60% of those were listed buildings. There is a fine balance to be achieved between preserving the look, history and character of a listed building with the need to ensure as many people as possible can enjoy access and use the facilities.

In England the Equality Act 2010 aims to ensure that people with disabilities are not discriminated against in public spaces, including hospitality venues. Under this act business owners must ensure that reasonable adjustments to their premises are made to ensure accessibility. Accessibility groups are campaigning for more to be done.

In this context, it is generally the case that in a modern building, which is not listed, it is easier to provide the required physical upgrades as well as the external and internal changes to improve accessibility. These works may include providing wheelchair ramps, adding hand rails, widening doorways and hallways, creating accessible toilets and improving signage. Not all the above require consent, especially if internal, though it is important to confirm with your Local Planning Authority.

Externally, many Pub Co’s are now looking at the creation of more disabled parking spaces and/or improving access to beer gardens or outdoor dining areas, which are equally as important.

However, for many hospitality businesses, especially those in historic or listed buildings, making changes to improve accessibility standards can present unique challenges. Due to their age, many listed buildings were not designed with accessibility in mind, meaning that their original design may not support modern accessibility requirements. For example, narrow hallways and steep staircases are often common in older buildings, making them difficult or even impossible to modify without significant structural changes. Moreover, external ramps and access structures are difficult to retro fit and need careful consideration on the impacts of the materials of the properties.

It is imperative at this point that you engage professionals to assist in understanding what would be feasibly before spending time and costs in producing a scheme which may not be accepted by the Local Authority. Whilst many Pub Co’s are actively looking to invest in alterations, this is an extra layer of consideration required and adds both costs and time to proposals.

Interestingly, part of our work involves helping understand what could be original fixtures and what is modern within listed buildings. In the 1990s there was a move in pubs to incorporate raised level seating areas as well as traditional looking screens and we are now in the process of removing these to provide level access throughout the trading area. There is generally no problem in removing these types of fixtures as they are modern and often included as part of the ‘Rustificaition’, as I call it, which happened when fixtures such as new timber posts or screens were installed and made to look very old to match the aesthetic at the time.

Although some smaller companies or individuals might feel anxious about approaching a planning consultant, we are here to help people navigate a system that can at times seem confusing. Having an open conversation with a planning consultant, and/or your local authority can be incredibly helpful. You can also submit a pre-application enquiry, and your local authority can give you a steer on what needs to be done to obtain planning consent.

It is also interesting to highlight new innovations that are constantly being trialled which may not necessarily have such a significant impact on a listed building and allow for more inclusion. For example, O’Neill’s (part of the Mitchells & Butlers Group) unveiled the UK’s first ever accessible, interactive Arrowsmiths dartboard for disabled guests in late 2024 and is something that could perhaps be replicated in pubs that host darts tournaments.

In addition, there is a move within the hospitality industry to see whether bars, which are normally installed at chest height, could include a lower height section to make it easier for wheelchair users to order drinks. There is a real drive within Pub Co’s to implement innovations such as these, but in a listed building there are many constraints to consider. In planning terms accessibility for a listed building can be quite difficult to achieve so expert advice is always advisable.