SARA ISLIM TOMCZAK 

DOROTHY PERKINS

 

Upon my visit to Dorothy Perkins within the Victoria Centre, i was upset to find that there was no sufficient DDA access to the lower floor of the store, meaning that if the consumer was unable to physically walk down the stairs their shopping experience was limited to the ground floor of the store. 

 

The shop was generally over packed with rails and clothing. The widest aisle measured in at 750mm which was inadequate for a customer on a wheelchair to easily pass by. 

 

Access to the fitting rooms was tight and on a turn, the hallway in the fitting rooms which lead to each individual changing facility measured at 1000mm wide.  Further to this there was no disabled fitting room. 

 

The service counter doesnt have a split level meaing if your in a wheelchair and want to make a purchase you would have to try get around the side which was also restricted with more railings. 

 

My the entrance to the store their is a rail with scarves and accessories which is double sided, the proximity between the wall and the rail is at 550mm meaning that if you cant get around this you do not have the same shopping experience. 

 

I was disapointed to see at how limited the disabled consumers exerience was due to lack of adhering to regualtIons set out in the building regulations which should comply to the Equlity Act 2010.  The fact that the store does not adhere to these means it is not designed inclusively with all members of public served in the same way.

 

The disabled consumers experience is definatley oppressed as they failed to achieve even the minimum requirements.