An Open Welcome
Our latest Accessibility in Pubs Guide
“This guide provides valuable support for landlords and security staff to better understand and manage this complex condition.”
Ruhel Ahmed, Senior Adviser at Acas
Accurate Online Information
Ensure your pub’s accessibility details are clear and easy to find online. Include specifics on parking, entrances, toilets, and any step-free routes, with photos where possible.
Creating an Accessibility Guide
Develop a clear, honest guide outlining your venue’s accessibility features, supported by photos where possible.
Staff Training & Access Champion
Invest in staff awareness so your team feels confident welcoming disabled customers. Training should cover practical topics like guiding visually impaired guests, understanding non-visible disabilities, and the correct use of emergency cords.
Inclusive Recruitment
Encouraging applications from disabled people and neurodivergent individuals helps create a workforce that reflects your customer base and brings valuable skills and insights into your business.
Investment in Accessible Infrastructure
Where possible, plan for physical improvements during refurbishments. Priorities include step-free access, ramps, lowered bar sections, accessible toilets, and clear signage with contrasting colours.
“Pubs sit at the heart of our communities, and they should be places where everyone feels genuinely welcome. This new BBPA guide is a brilliant step forward because it focuses on simple, practical actions that can make a big difference for people with disabilities.
“Accessibility isn’t just about compliance – it’s about culture, awareness, and creating spaces where people feel they truly belong. At HEINEKEN UK and Star Pubs, we’re proud to support this work and will continue helping licensees embed these principles across their pubs so that every venue can offer a warm, open welcome to all.”
– Sonia Thimmiah, Director of Corporate Affairs at Heineken UK
“Accessibility doesn’t have a one-size-fits-all answer, and that’s what’s great about the British Beer and Pub Association’s Accessibility Guide – it offers so much information for venues to learn about and understand the importance of disabled access, whilst showing a commitment to disabled people. Only 9% of people who completed our most recent Access Survey said finding accessibility information was easy – Euan’s Guide is the largest free directory of accessibility information. By listing your venue on our website, you make a difference while promoting your business to our community of tens of thousands of disabled people looking for great places to go.”
– Antonia Lee-Bapty, Chief Executive Officer of Euan’s Guide
Ross Calladine, Accessibility and Inclusion Lead at VisitEngland, said: “VisitEngland is committed to ensuring that England’s visitor economy works for everyone, and that means supporting businesses across the hospitality sector with practical tools and guidance. We’re delighted that our Accessible and Inclusive Tourism Toolkit has informed this guide, and we hope it gives publicans the confidence to take meaningful steps towards welcoming all customers.”
Eleanor Briggs, Head of Policy, Public Affairs and Campaigns at Guide Dogs, said: “Guide Dogs welcomes the British Beer and Pub Association’s new Accessibility in Pubs guide. Pubs are an important part of community life, and everyone should feel confident and comfortable visiting them.
“Clear information, well trained staff and thoughtful adjustments can make a meaningful difference to blind and partially sighted people. We hope this guidance encourages positive change across the sector and helps create more welcoming, inclusive spaces for all.”
Ruhel Ahmed, Senior Adviser at Acas, said: “We welcome the timely publication of this new accessibility guide and the commitment to inclusion in breweries and pubs across the UK.
“This guide provides valuable support for landlords and security staff to better understand and manage this complex condition.”
Nicola Rule, Operations Manager at Narcolepsy UK