Lookaly Blog - What's happening on Lookaly

By Kyle Boyd

I like to shop

It has to be said that I do enjoy a bit of shopping (but you’re a guy how can this be?) Well there is nothing like getting a Freelance Job signed off and a cheque in the bank with money to spend.  Everyone’s a winner really.

So where did I descend upon to spend my hard earned cash after spending many an hour reading lines of delicious nerd code or deciding weather the pink is just too pink for that We Love Pink Website that I eagerly decided too make.  Belfast City Centre of course.

This is where the problems begin.

I am Differently Abled

I am Differently Abled which means I use four wheels instead of two legs too get around, it has some advantages such as my Blue Badge (no not blue rinse, blue badge) which means I can park absolutely anywhere in Belfast City Centre – free of charge I may add.

However it has some disadvantages.  Curbs, steps, uneven surfaces and changing rooms are my greatest foe. It results me planning my routes so meticulously that I really should be working for Google Maps.

I now present my take on accessibility in chosen areas of Belfast.  I will rate these with my unique scoring system as follows.

1. Good Job – Fantastic job on accessibility
2. Try Harder – Should have thought about it a bit more
3. Epic Fail – Accessibility fail

1. LTD

This store has some unique jeans; it also has a unique take on accessibility in that it doesn’t have one.  Shop is at street level, with one step at its entrance, with no ramp resulting in either disembarking the chair and lifting it yourself or asking the store for assistance.  If you reach that far the store is clearly laid out with good maneuverability.

However its biggest offense is the changing rooms.  They are so small that I can ‘just’ get my wheelchair reversed in with no room either side.  This means the curtain wont close over.  So its either strip in the shop or don’t try on the clothes and end up buying them too big or small, not something I want with a pair of £180 jeans.

Rating: Epic Fail

2. Energie Store

This store doesn’t get a great start.  At its entrance neither one, nor two but three large granite steps greet you.  Now unless I have a transformer style wheelchair there is no way that I can enter this store.  On the rare occasion were I have asked staff for assistance and ventured inside it is actually one of the easiest stores to get around a simple solid running surface with plenty of room between racks of clothes makes for good viewing.

Unfortunately its lack of disabled changing area and extremely small changing rooms means that it doesn’t get my vote.

Rating: Epic Fail

3. Cult Clothing Store

I love this store for clothes; it has a great feel and vibe with some unique threads.  Access is at street level so no steps to navigate and an in store lift makes getting to the second floor a breeze.  Its failings are the uneven rustic wooden surface, with raised bolts. You have to watch or you will end up tasting it.

They have one extra large changing room, but it’s normally used as an extra storage area.  Its biggest offense is its zero maneuverability.  It has so many racks of clothes so tightly packed its almost impossible to navigate.

Rating: Try Harder

4. Victoria Square

Ok so this isn’t a specific store but because it is so new I feel I have to give it a mention.  Victoria Square has made a great effort on accessibility.  With access from street level all with gradual ramps it makes getting to the place easy as pie.  Its only downside is that it is all split level (and I know it was so the architect could make an interesting design) so getting to certain areas sometimes means you have to take two lift rides to get to your destination (and this takes a long time, as waiting on lifts takes an age.)

Finding some of the lifts can be a bit cumbersome as these are tucked away in awkward places.  Watch out for the smaller lifts as these are not reliable and sometimes break down.  I found this out to my peril.  It meant I had to stay in the John Lewis store, for a very, very long time.

Ok so I am probably being a bit picky, it has very few shortcomings, but everywhere is accessible so I suggest a accessibility map to point out lift locations!

Rating: Good Job

5. Levi Store, Victoria Square

This store is fantastic.  No other word for it.  It’s easy to reach (only one lift ride!) It is clearly laid out with plenty of room for maneuverability.  The best part id the changing rooms.

They have a dedicated Disabled one, which is HUGE, its nearly as big as my bedroom.  It has a great sliding door which means its easy to open and close when sitting down. It gets a thumbs up!

Rating: Good Job

I am now open to comments, as I would like to get other peoples point of view.  No doubt I have left some stores out, but I would agree I have covered the best and worst!