The estimated number of disabled people in the UK is significant and continues to grow, making up a large proportion of UK citizens. The National Office for Statistics defines disability as a mental or physical condition or illness that has lasted, or is expected to last, 12 months or more, disrupting day-to-day activities.
According to figures from the UK Parliament, the estimated number of disabled people has increased by 5.2 million since 2002/03, rising from 18% of the total UK population to 24% in 2021/22. Despite this clear demand, many hospitality services, including those offered by luxury hotels and exclusive venues, remain ill-equipped to accommodate disabled guests adequately.
Keep reading to learn more about why investing in commercial platform lifts is not just compliant but essential for enhancing accessibility and fostering genuine inclusivity in your high-end venue.
Why Luxury Venues Need Accessible Solutions Like Platform Lifts
Luxury establishments distinguish themselves from budget or mid-range venues by providing an elite, top-notch guest experience. If venues fail to adequately accommodate disabled people, who account for nearly a quarter of the UK population, they simply cannot claim to offer a truly positive experience for all customers.
Enhanced Accessibility
There are many accessible features a building can integrate, such as adapted rooms with accessible bathrooms, grab bars, and wider doorways. Commercial platform lifts are the primary solution for vertical mobility.
Having accessible features like a commercial platform lift enables people with mobility issues to enjoy the same level of comfort and freedom as able-bodied individuals. Using staircases is often not feasible for everyone; stairs are incompatible with wheelchairs and can be difficult or painful for people with reduced mobility to climb. A commercial platform lift can be installed in buildings with multiple floors or split-level surfaces to allow all customers to get around with ease and dignity.
Improved Guest Experience
Customers who are given adapted, spacious rooms and can move around the hotel or venue easily are likely to be pleased with their stay. Since not all establishments offer an adequately comfortable and inclusive experience, satisfied customers who find a reliable, accessible venue, particularly one featuring a quality platform lift, often return.
Brand Reputation
As a luxury business, demonstrating that your company values disabled clientele is paramount. Making visible adaptations that fit their needs presents your organisation in a positive, ethical light. Failure to do so could discourage potential disabled customers, as well as able-bodied customers, who feel strongly about inclusion and social responsibility. The ‘Accessibility in Hospitality’ report surveyed 250 guests and confirmed that current accessibility measures in the hospitality industry are often insufficient, highlighting the need for better solutions like disabled platform lifts.
Competitive Advantage
Since able-bodied people are typically considered the target audience, accommodating disabled people is often an afterthought. This leaves a gap in the market for truly inclusive facilities that offer an equally positive experience for able-bodied or disabled customers alike.
Taking inclusivity into account and making accessibility changes can allow for a broader clientele. By widening your services to be appropriate for individuals with more complex requirements, you gain a wider client base and encourage more diverse customers.
Legal and Ethical Requirements
In the UK, the Equality Act 2010 requires all public venues, including hotels, to make reasonable adjustments to accommodate disabled individuals. This includes providing accessible entrances, facilities, and services. The law demands proactive measures to prevent discrimination and ensure equal access. Non-compliance can result in damaging legal action or fines.
Aside from legal requirements, fostering inclusivity and accessibility should be an ethical consideration. Luxury venues should strive to create an environment that offers equal treatment and care for all customers, regardless of disability. Lack of accessibility considerations, especially the lack of a suitable platform lift, can severely damage a brand’s reputation, leading to customer loss.
How Can Platform Lifts Meet Luxury Standards?
When seeking accessibility solutions in your luxury venue, you’ll likely want options that fit the style and calibre of your facility. Here are some things you can consider when making adaptations to your venue.
Design and Aesthetics
When considering how to incorporate accessible features like platform lifts, consider whether you want lifts to fit in with the interior design and architecture of your building or stand out.
Hidden platform lifts offer highly discreet accessibility options. The lift mechanism retracts under the floor with a finish that blends in with the flooring, making them almost undetectable when not in use. This option is especially popular with museums and heritage buildings to not distract from the architecture.
Choosing a disabled lift that matches the colour scheme or tones used in the venue can help the lift seamlessly blend in with the rest of the decor.
Alternatively, using bold colours can draw attention to the lift, having it as a focal point and making the lift easy to find. Whichever you prefer, commercial platform lifts can uphold the aesthetically pleasing appearance of your venue.
Branding and Customisation
There are many options to customise accessibility platform lifts to suit your luxury venue’s style. For example, your company’s branding can be incorporated into the design. Unique finishes or custom branding can add a personalised touch to the lift in keeping with the calibre of your luxury venue.
Materials
High-quality materials like premium glass, stainless steel, bronze, brass, copper, timber, stone and more can be used to create a lift that is durable and visually appealing. Alternatively, if being eco-friendly is important to your brand, sustainably sourced materials can be selected to impress your clients whilst maintaining your business’s luxury standards.
Technology Integration
Investing in a high-tech lift with many smart features makes it easy and convenient to use. Cutting-edge lift technology has evolved to create lifts that run smoothly, quickly and quietly to maintain a peaceful environment and prevent any disruption to customers.
Bespoke Solutions
If you’re looking for a custom-made lift solution for your space, bespoke platform lifts may be the answer. Precise measurements can be taken to design and manufacture a disabled lift that perfectly fits the shape and size of your space.
Work With Lyfthaus for Your Platform Lift Needs
At Lyfthaus, we are accessible platform lift experts. All our disability lifts are compliant under the Equality Act 2010. Our mission is to provide premium accessible lift solutions to UK businesses, helping you meet your accessibility goals and make your luxury services available to everyone.
We offer a range of disabled lift options, including sleek platform lifts and discreet hidden platform lifts, to suit the needs and preferences of your business. If you are looking for a creative, architectural lift that blends beautifully with your environment, our designers and builders can create a bespoke platform lift that ensures an utterly flawless finish.
For more information about our accessibility platform lifts and to discuss your unique project, call us at 01440 731111 or get in touch online today.
For more information about our accessibility platform lifts, call us at 01440 731111 or get in touch online.