Arkells puts accent on access

A disabled rights campaigner can now drink in his local thanks to a brewery company which is getting to grips with new legislation on disability discrimination. Wheelchair-bound churchwarden Roy Thompson has never been able to drink in the Three Horseshoes at Brimpton near Newbury, Berkshire, but thanks to major renovation work and the installation of disabled access and toilets by Swindon-based Arkells Brewery, he can now enjoy a pint like everyone else. The pub, bought by Arkells 18 months ago, has been extensively improved to provide new ladies and gents toilets, as well as the new disabled facilities. Thompson has campaigned for access to public places for the disabled for more than 40 years, and served on the Queen's Jubilee Committee for Disabled Access. "This helped to raise awareness of the lack of access in many public places and the new facilities in the Three Horseshoes will allow disabled people to take part in a very important part of thevillage's social life," he said. The 1995 Disability Discrimination Act makes it illegal to discriminate against anyone with a disability as they attempt to enter buildings. Next year the final part of the Act will come into force and "reasonable adjustments" will have to be made to physical features of buildings so that there are no physical barriers preventingpeople with disabilities using premises or services. Business risk consultant Pat Perry, of Perry Scott Nash, said this means pub companies and licensees will have to review their premises so that plans for any alterations can be made or alternative services provided for the disabled. Arkells' managing director James Arkell said: "We are installing disabled access into more and more of our pubs, so that a visit to their local is something that everyone can enjoy.