intu Merry Hill is joining retail businesses across the nation today in marking Purple Tuesday, the UK’s first accessible shopping day.

Today, intu centres across the UK will join the campaign to promote awareness by highlighting the difficulties facing disabled shoppers and the measures that can be put in place to overcome them.
 
intu Merry Hill will welcome the Beacon Centre, Stourbridge Hearing Centre and Dudley Mind on the lower mall near customer services between 10am – 4pm for Purple Tuesday. The charities will raise awareness of different disabilities to help better the shopping experience for all customers. A visually impaired assisted shopping event has also been organised which will include retailers showcasing their latest products and personal shopping services, an event the centre plans to offer again in the coming year.
 
Endorsed by the Department for Work and Pensions, Purple Tuesday is a call-to-action for retail businesses to make shopping more accessible for disabled customers - not just because it’s the right thing to do, but because it’s good for business. Shoppers are also encouraged to show their support, by visiting their local shopping centre or high street on the day.
 
intu is backing the campaign as part of ongoing work to create accessible shopping and leisure destinations. This includes introducing specialist training for staff to support those with autism, blindness and dementia and working with mental health foundation Blurt to encourage greater awareness around mental health conditions. Over the last 12 months intu Merry Hill has also installed a quiet room for customers with autism and a state-of-the-art adult changing facility. A spokesperson for intu said:

“We are focused on creating great experiences for our customers and ensuring intu shopping centres are accessible destinations for all.

"We do this by working closely with our customers and important organisations like Purple to find new and innovative ways to improve our physical spaces, customer service and support for employees.”
 
The initiative also enjoys support from Sarah Newton, Minister of State for Disabled People, Health and Work, who will attend the purple lighting-up of key London landmarks on the day.
 
Beyond the 13th November awareness day, Purple will work alongside organisations to support implementation of commitments made, including customer service training and providing support to increase accessibility of websites and other online technology. Wider support includes physical access audits, improved signage and increasing the involvement of disabled mystery shoppers. Mike Adams, CEO at Purple, added:

“We’re delighted that intu is supporting the Purple Tuesday campaign to promote better accessibility for disabled shoppers. This is a collaborative campaign that extends far beyond one day, and it’s vital that retail organisations come together to make shopping more pleasurable and efficient for everyone.”