Welshpool praised by Minister

Welshpool has come in for some worthy praise as one of three small towns in the United Kingdom leading the way for providing inclusive and accessible shopping facilities.

Minister for Disabled People, Justin Tomlinson, said Welshpool, alongside Belper in Derbyshire, and Carmarthen, were now renowned for their accessibility.

He was talking ahead of the hopeful boost in high street income from the New Year sales, which are already underway, and singled out Welshpool for the way its town centre had made simple changes to “transform the environment for disabled shoppers”.

“Once Christmas is over, our high streets once again flood with shoppers eager to bag a bargain in the January sales,” said Mr Tomlinson: “While many businesses across the UK do cater for disabled consumers, sadly too many do not.

“This is unacceptable in this day and age – and means shops are missing out on the £249bn spending power of our 13 million disabled people. That’s why I am calling on retailers to make it their New Year’s resolution to be accessible to all their customers.”

He highlighted that some shops in Welshpool had introduced quiet days, designed to accommodate those with hidden disabilities such as anxiety, autism or even elderly people who can find going to the shops daunting.

“Furthermore, Welshpool has begun taking steps to improve physical accessibility, with small local businesses offering employment to people with learning disabilities,” he said.

This summer, Welshpool’s town centre underwent major tweaks to its road system which also widened pavements and made road crossing points safer.

It has also become a dementia-friendly town with dozens of businesses and individuals signing up to support those in need.