Festival Place leading the way with new inclusivity initiative

Festival Place in Basingstoke has become the first shopping centre in the UK to launch a new inclusivity partnership designed to transform the experience of disabled visitors.

The centre has joined forces with disability training and consultancy specialists Purple Advantage to introduce a comprehensive initiative that will empower staff, support retailers and ensure disabled visitors feel confident, welcomed and understood.

The partnership will provide bespoke training, ongoing support and practical tools to help break down barriers and remove the uncertainty that can sometimes surround disability.

“Festival Place has always been committed to creating a welcoming environment for everyone, and this partnership represents an important step forward,” said Kayleigh Roe, Business Performance Administrator at Festival Place.

By working with Purple Advantage, we are giving our staff and retailers the confidence, knowledge and understanding to better support disabled visitors. Just as importantly, we are creating opportunities to listen, learn and continually improve.

We are incredibly proud to be the first site in the UK to embark on this journey,” she added.

Founded in 2024 by disabled couple Fran and Chris Whitaker, Purple Advantage was born from lived experience.

Fran, a former Paralympic swimmer who represented Great Britain for over a decade, and Chris, a disability technical specialist with more than 15 years’ experience, recognised a gap in confidence and understanding and the impact that could have on everyday experiences.

Fran Whitaker, Director of Purple Advantage, said: “Purple Advantage was created to break down barriers and end the ‘fear factor’ that can sometimes exist around disability.

This partnership with Festival Place shows what is possible when organisations commit to meaningful change.

By equipping staff with the right tools and understanding, we can create environments where disabled people feel genuinely welcome, respected and confident,” she added.

Through the initiative, retailers and centre teams will receive interactive training and accessible resources to build their confidence in supporting disabled customers.

Crucially, disabled visitors can also share feedback on their experiences, helping shape ongoing improvements.