Only one third of the shop accessible to wheelchair users
1
1
Date of visit: September 2016
I am a disabled person. I have experience of challenges around: accessing toilets and moving around.
I use or have experience of: disabled toilet
Overall Rating
Bad
Only the ground floor is accessible to wheelchair users. Not good, and not at all in keeping with either the spirit or the letter of the Equality Act 2010.
Disabled Access In and Around
Bad
Step-free entrance into the shop. But only the ground floor is accessible to wheelchair users. On previous visits I had been allowed to reach other floors, accompanied by staff, by using the goods lift. On this visit I was informed that the goods lift must not be used in this way, for 'health and safety reasons'. So: no access to basement and first floor for wheelchair users. This shop is not fulfilling its obligations under the Equality Act 2010.
Parking & Transport
Average
The nearest tube station is Sloane Square, which is not step-free, but does have escalators from the westbound (but NOT the eastbound) platform to street level, so if you can get out of your wheelchair and take it up an escalator, this station may be an option. Loads of buses go along the King's Road. I wouldn't attempt to park nearby.
Accessible Toilets
0There are no toilets.
Staff
Excellent
The staff are sweet and helpful, and apologetic about the lack of access to other floors.
Additional Information
It's shocking that 20 years after the DDA became law (now replaced by the Equality Act 2010) such a major shop as Habitat has not installed a customer lift. I don't recommend this shop to wheelchair users or to anyone with mobility problems.
