For the second year running the Midlands-based Disability Consultancy and Social Enterprise has been asked to join the judging panel for the Great British High Street Awards.
The Great British High Street Awards 2019, run by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government in partnership with Visa and backed by other supporters, recognises and celebrates local achievements on the UK’s high streets and supports the communities in which we live and work.
Speaking ahead of the competition launch in High Street Crickhowell, High Streets Minister Jake Berry MP said:
“The government awards celebrate the dedicated shop keepers, the committed volunteers and forward-thinking councils who together are creating vibrant and dynamic high streets that are loved by their communities.
“Last year more than 200 high streets across the land battled it out in a hotly-contested competition to be crowned Britain’s best.
“I would encourage communities across the nation to enter, so their high streets and the people working in them gain the recognition they fully deserve.”
Martin Austin, Managing Director of Nimbus says of the invitation to judge;
“It’s really important that disabled peoples are represented when looking at a competition such as this.
“Our High Streets are much more than just an opportunity to consume goods and services; they are very often a part of the community and accessibility equals inclusion.
“We should celebrate the diversity of our local communities and disabled people are a part of that no matter how big or small a community might be.”
The Derby-based Social Enterprise, provides a range of services to business large and small across the UK to improve their ability to work with disabled customers – the most applicable being their Access Card scheme. The Access Card can be used to attract disabled customers to a store and harness the power of the Purple Pound but also allows both parties to understand and respond to customers access requirements.
Martin explains the Purple Pound;
“The Purple Pound is a phrase coined to represent the spending power of disabled people.
“At £248 Bn per year, whether you’re a small high street retailer or a prominent high street chain, not taking steps to actively attract this customer base is non-sensical and we can support a business to do this!”
To find out more about attracting disabled customers visit Nimbus at www.nimbusdisability.com or submit a listing for business at www.accesscard.org.uk
