Ask An Expert: Bar design

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I'm having my pub redesigned and someone has told me there needs to be a minimum statutory distance between the bar and back-bar. Is that true?If the...

I'm having my pub redesigned and someone has told me there needs to be a minimum statutory distance between the bar and back-bar. Is that true?

If the configuration of the bar and back-bar is an existing structure there is nothing in legislation which requires a premises owner to alter the bar and increase the distance between the two.

However, if the bar and back-bar are a proposed new structure or part of a refurbishment, then the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (as amended) should be taken into consideration, along with the current requirements of part M of the Building Regulations.

This legislation requires that if you are erecting, extending or altering a building, provision for access and facilities for people with disabilities should be provided and, as a minimum, the width of such areas should be no less than 1.2m - this width allows for safe access and exit for a person in a wheelchair.

This requirement is further complicated, however, by the fact that under health and safety legislation if the premises owner can demonstrate by an access statement that the employment of a person in a wheelchair to work behind the bar would not be safe, because of health and safety reasons, there is no requirement to ensure the width is 1.2m.

In this case the area between the bar and back-bar should be sufficient to allow safe working practices - for example, allowing employees to pass while carrying drinks enabling glasswasher doors to be opened and so forth.

Janet Cox is a client services director and health and safety specialist at Perry Scott Nash Associates

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