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Paralympian Tanni Grey-Thompson has called on West End retailers to make their shops more accessible for wheelchair users.
The former athlete singled out Covent Garden as particularly difficult to get around, with lots of small shops and cobbled streets.
She suggested that while major chains like Marks & Spencer and John Lewis were well equipped, some retailers had the wrong attitude to change.
Dame Tanni, who was born with spina bifida and won 11 Paralympic gold medals, was speaking out to mark the launch of Open London 2010, a guide for disabled people.
She told the Standard: “There's still a lot of shops that remain inaccessible. The major retailers are mostly fine it's some of the smaller ones in places like Covent Garden and around Trafalgar Square.
“Putting a ramp in or bell doesn't have to be expensive. It's just about attitude. Disabled people will spend money where they can get to.”
Dame Tanni, who took a seat in the House of Lords this year, had particular criticism for Covent Garden which has cobbles that make it difficult for wheelchairs.
“I've got an eight-year-old who adores Covent Garden but I wouldn't choose to go there on my own because of the cobbles. It's incredibly old but paths could be put in to make it more accessible. I find it really hard to get round and I'm very fit.”
The guide includes advice on travelling around London's public transport network, where to eat and sleep and accessible tourist attractions.
The British Museum, National Galleries, Madame Tussaud's, Houses of Parliament, Shakespeare's Globe and Tower of London are all highly rated.
Government ministers and Boris Johnson want to improve the capital's access for disabled visitors before the Paralympic Games in 2012.
However, the Tube is notoriously difficult for the disabled, infirm, and mothers with buggies to navigate. Buses and taxis can be better.
Dame Tanni, who sits on the board of Transport for London, said: “It's a challenge. Would I like there to be better access? Yes, absolutely. But it's going in a really good direction. The Tube network is incredibly old so making it step free is expensive. There have been tough choices made about transport spending and there will be more coming.”
Welcoming the Open London guide, she added: “It's nice to know that if you're going to trek half-way across the city it's going to be okay, and if not, at least you know what you're letting yourself in for.”
Open London 2012 is available at www.openbritain.net
Reader views (1)
Whilst I admire Tanny (I've followed her career from the UK to World stage) I think moaning that Covent Garden has cobbles is a bit absurd. I agree that certain shops (in and ouot of the West End) are less than wheelchair friendly but you can't start ripping up cobblde street that have been there for centuries just because it makes your life a bit difficult.
- Bob, Cheam, 08/07/2010 11:42
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