Shopmobility Paisley & District are worried new rules to help hospitality businesses by enabling them to place tables and chairs on the pavement outside their premises without the need for a planning application may cause problems to those with disabilities.
There is a concern that unregulated action could impact on people with visual disabilities such as blind people who would be unaware of potential hazards in their way but also of concern would be any action that narrows a pavement making it difficult for people in mobility scooters and wheelchairs to get past.
Although councils will retain powers to prevent and deal with obstructions, it is important that action is taken swiftly where any problems arise.
Karen Miller, Office Manager of Shopmobility Paisley & District, said: “While we obviously welcome anything that boosts trade in our town centres we do have some concerns regarding access for people with disability issues.
“As long as there are sensible precautions to make sure people on mobility scooters and wheelchairs can pass on the pavements affected, and that there is reasonable precautions for people with sight problems then there shouldn’t be a problem.
“We would support anything that helps to boost businesses in our town and village centres but some common sense needs to be applied.”
Shopmobility Paisley & District is based on the ground floor of the Paisley Centre Car Park in Storie Street, Paisley and is open between 10am to 4pm on Mondays to Fridays and 10am to 3pm on Saturdays (closed on Sundays).
You can call ahead to book a scooter/ wheelchair by calling 0141 889 0441 or by emailing shopmobilitypaisley2019@outlook.com.
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