Disability rights group starts proceedings after Burton shop complaint
Fashion retail group Arcadia is facing legal action over disabled access, after a wheelchair user could not get into her local Burton store in Stafford.

The Disability Rights Commission (DRC) will today announce proceedings against Arcadia under the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA), making it the second retailer after Debenhams to face such action.

The DRC is supporting wheelchair user Joanne Holland, who says she was unable to shop in her local Burton because of a flight of steps. Staff offered to bring goods to her at the shop entrance, which she found unacceptable.

Holland said: 'Having goods that I can't see to choose from brought down to me is not a reasonable alternative. In fact, it's a joke.'

Arcadia said it has been 'in dialogue with Ms Holland for some time, and we have used our best efforts to comply with her requests regarding access at our Stafford Dorothy Perkins and Burton stores.'

It said that access has been made available to the mezzanine floor within Dorothy Perkins and that it has offered her a personal shopper service on the ground floor of Burton.

The company added: 'We have also been in different dialogues with the DRC and we have made requests to them for a meeting to understand their long-term aims. They have not come to see us, but we remain available.'

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