An accessibility campaigner has been distributing doorbells to businesses to educate shop owners and make all people feel welcome on the high street.
BBC Radio Cambridgeshire reported that Liz Owen, who runs Access in St Neots, Cambridgeshire, said many shops were not always accessible to people with disabilities.
In response she launched “Project Doorbell” so customers who need additional assistance can alert staff.
Ms Owen, who moved to the town in 2014 from Bedfordshire, told the BBC the project had been well received and already one business has improved access despite having immovable steps at its entrance.
When delivering a doorbell to FBI (Floored by Ian), Ms Owen said shop owner Ian McLachlan surprised her by improving access into the building.
Ms Owen said the shop had steps which could not be removed, so Mr McLachlan built a ramp at the side entrance.
She said: “It was a lovely surprise, I was really grateful. It meant that someone cared, someone had thought about accessibility and I felt included.
“Quite often if you see a shop that is not accessible it makes you think they don’t want your custom…this was amazing and unexpected, it means anyone with access needs can come into the shop.”
Mr McLachlan, whose business covers Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, said he asked the council about removing the steps at his shop but it could not be done.
Instead, he installed a ramp inside the side entrance. By ringing the bell on the shop window, customers can now be assisted inside via the new ramp.
He said: “We are just doing the right thing, if you can make someone’s life easier, why not? If a small business like us can, then anyone can.”
