Accessibility & Listed Building Compliance

Excerpt

Navigating the complex intersection of accessibility requirements and listed building regulations to create compliant, inclusive hospitality spaces.

Description

MGI provides specialist consultancy and implementation services for hospitality operators seeking to balance the dual demands of the Equality Act 2010 and listed building regulations. Our team of experts guides pub, bar, restaurant and hotel operators through the complex regulatory landscape, ensuring your refurbishment projects not only preserve the heritage character that attracts customers but also provide appropriate accessibility for disabled patrons. We understand that approximately 20% of the UK’s 52,000 pubs are listed properties, creating unique challenges when implementing accessibility improvements that require sensitive handling to avoid legal issues, negative publicity, and potential enforcement action.

Our approach combines practical design solutions with regulatory expertise, helping you make ‘reasonable’ accessibility improvements that satisfy legal requirements without compromising the historical integrity of your venue. We identify cost-effective interventions that can significantly improve accessibility—from wheelchair access and disabled toilets to appropriate lighting, tactile flooring changes, and colour contrasts—while respecting the original fabric and architectural style of your building. This balanced methodology not only ensures compliance but also opens your venue to the £212 billion disabled consumer market and their extended networks of family and friends.

Deliverables

• Accessibility Audit and Report – Comprehensive assessment of your venue against Equality Act requirements with prioritised recommendations for improvement.
• Listed Building Compliance Strategy – Detailed plan outlining how accessibility improvements can be implemented while respecting listed building restrictions.
• Design Solutions Portfolio – Bespoke design proposals that blend accessibility features with heritage preservation.
• Regulatory Liaison Package – Management of discussions with conservation officers and accessibility experts to secure necessary approvals.
• Implementation Oversight – Expert supervision during refurbishment to ensure all accessibility and heritage preservation requirements are correctly executed.
• Staff Training Programme – Guidance for your team on supporting disabled customers and maintaining accessible facilities.

Our Approach

MGI distinguishes itself through a unique dual-expertise approach that few consultancies can match. Rather than treating accessibility and heritage preservation as competing priorities, we integrate them into a cohesive strategy that maximises your venue’s commercial potential while minimising legal exposure. Our team includes specialists in both accessibility compliance and listed building regulations who collaborate to find innovative solutions that satisfy both requirements. We focus on long-term return on investment considerations, helping you recognise that accessibility improvements aren’t just regulatory obligations but opportunities to access untapped market segments and build customer loyalty in an increasingly competitive hospitality sector.