Purple pound in sight for St Peter Port retailers

Tuesday 13 November 2018

Efforts to make St Peter Port more accessible for disabled people and their carers will ramp up today with an "honest conversation" about the "purple pound."

Guernsey is linking in with the national 'Purple Tuesday' scheme for the day, with an ambitious project to increase access to the town centre for the estimated 13,000 disabled people and their 4,000 carers who live and work in the island.

With their collective spending power - known as the Purple Pound - estimated to be worth £249 million to the Guernsey economy - there's a lot to be said for increasing accessibility. 

The 'purple pound' is worth £249 million to the economy. 

Deputy Andrea Dudley Owen who is Vice President of the Committee for Economic Development, leaders from the retail community and local Charities will be celebrating "what is already working well and have an honest conversation about what needs to happen next to make accessible shopping across the island a year-round reality," during the lunchtime chat at the Market.

Pictured: Vice President of Economic Development, Deputy Andrea Dudley Owen.  

Deputy Dudley Owen is the States lead for retail policy. She said, "I am delighted to have been invited to take part in this very important conversation with the Accessible Town Project. I hope this will lead to some action to help make our Town as accessible as possible to all members of our Community. It's more than just the value of to the shops of the "Purple Pound", it's also about making sure that we provide equal opportunity, wherever possible to ensure those who want to, have access to shops, are able to browse and buy at their leisure and be part of the local consumer economy." 

As part of efforts to make St Peter Port more accessible, the Accessible Town team will be launching the Retail Kite Mark, which follows the very successful Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Scheme championed by the Channel Islands Co-op.

“The support for this project has been overwhelming” Said Karen Blanchford, Vice Chair Access for All “from the local charities like GET and Dementia Friendly who have offered their training free to local retailer’s, to the retailers and local services who have shown their commitment to make those small changes that make a world of difference to some of our members” 

Pictured: Head to the Bus Terminus where a pop up shop will be open at Albany with health care equipment on display today.

There will be other activities and events throughout town today, with St John HealthCare among those showing what it can do to help disabled people and their cares.

A stock of mobility scooters, wheelchairs and walking aids will be on display at a pop-up shop at The Albany with staff available to answer questions.

The St Peter Port Douzaine has also been heavily involved, with Chris Meinke saying they all support the efforts to make Guernsey's town more accessible.

“St Peter Port Douzaine is heavily involved in the life and work of the Town and works tirelessly to improve its ambience. We are fully supportive of the Accessible Town project and Douzenier volunteers will be out and about on the day ensuring the event goes smoothly, helping people and monitoring the event with a view to future opportunities”