Licensee awarded for services to disabled

A Shropshire licensee has beaten two major pub chains to take a top award for services to disabled customers.

Norman Pearce, licensee of the Sun Inn in Corfton, Shropshire, was presented with the QE Foundation award for services to the disabled after beating off competition from fellow finalists JD Wetherspoon and Brewers Fayre.

The single pub operator has built up a loyal following within the disabled community and has adapted the 15th century coaching inn to ensure they can have access to each of the five levels inside.

Adaptations include ramps and disabled toilets, but also more unusual services including signs in the car park which advise customers with mobility problems to beep their horns to summon staff to help them into the pub.

Mr Pearce said he was delighted with the award. He urged other licensees to make disabled customers more welcome, saying it made commercial sense as well.

"It definitely makes a difference," he said. "If you have a coach-load of people turn up and one is in a wheelchair then you are not just going to lose that person if they can't get into your pub, you will lose the whole lot."

The Disability Discrimination Act requires that licensees make "reasonable" adjustments to their business to ensure services are accessible to disabled customers. These adaptations can range from installing ramps to training staff in sign language.

Mr Pearce said many of the changes, like offering table service to less mobile customers, cost very little or nothing.