We recognise that 20% of adults in the UK have a disability and of these, 80% of disabled people have ‘invisible’ or hidden impairments. Staff across the centre are offered training to help us all to better understand how we can be helpful, and how we can become more confident and welcoming when interacting with all disabled customers.
We have a Guest Services team and touch point, which is manned during Store opening times. The team are on hand to help Guests with any queries and to offer advice to make their experience at Clarks Village as enjoyable as possible. Our Guest Services team are trained in Dementia Awareness and received Disability & Diversity training.
We know that not every disability is obvious and our Guest Services can provide guests with a free Hidden Disability Lanyard to use during their visit to Clarks Village.
Our stores will recognise the lanyard and offer appropriate support and assistance.
We have quiet space available at our Management Suite (above M&S) which can be reserved via our Guest Services team. This space is ideal for those guests who require a quiet environment and space to relax during their visit. To book out the room, please contact our Guest Services team on 07392 154 915.
Due to the current health and hygiene requirements; these sensory toys are currently not available. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and plan to make them available as soon as it is safe to do so. Thank you for your patience and support.
Many people on the autism spectrum have difficulty processing everyday sensory information, and we recognise that visiting a shopping centre can present a difficult environment to some. We have therefore introduced our new sensory toys for those needing some time out and they can be found with our Guest Services team.
We provide a FREE shopmobility service with electric scooters and wheelchairs. Please ensure you request this service at least 24 hours in advance of your visit using our online form HERE
In addition to the support and facilities that are listed above and available every day at Clarks Village. We are also proud to be involved and support many initiatives to make shopping easier for all our guests.
During Autism Week (which we organise twice a year in conjunction with the Autism charities) we offer additional support by introducing quiet hours during the week to make the environment and atmosphere at Clarks Village even more appropriate e.g. turn off the music, reduce the lighting where appropriate, reduce background noise (tannoy announcements, fire alarm testing, noisy construction work etc).
All our car parks have specially marked bays for disabled drivers and blue badge holders can park for free in any space as long as they display their blue badge in the windscreen of their car.
Clarks Village has wide pathways and all the stores are on ground level so that every guest can enjoy the environment and gain access to the stores and gardens.