GOLDEN Square shopping centre is taking strides to make shopping easier for customers with disabilities.

The Warrington shopping centre in Market Place will take part in Purple Tuesday, the UK’s national, accessible shopping day.

The campaign launched today, Tuesday, and is the first awareness initiative of its kind for retailers to acknowledge how they support people with both visible and non-visible disabilities.

Purple Tuesday is not only helping to raise awareness but will also reinforce the message that businesses are fully committed to ensuring an inclusive and enjoyable shopping experience for everyone, each and every day of the year.

Golden Square Centre Director, Ian Cox, said: "Almost 20 per cent of adults in the UK have a disability, 80 per cent of which have an invisible or hidden impairment.

"This means that an incredible four out of five disabled customers may require some sort of support.

"For our visitors who experience the world differently, we want to ensure that at Golden Square we are providing the best customer service and accessibility we can to all members of the community."

Golden Square currently has a number of accessible features such as hearing loops, disabled toilet facilities, 83 disabled car-parking spaces and free parking for blue badge holders.

Ian added: "We’re also proud to work in partnership with Warrington Disability Partnership on our Shopmobility scheme so that we can provide motorised scooters and manual wheelchairs to anyone of any age that has a temporary or permanent mobility issue.

"The staff in Shopmobility also offer training on how to use the equipment for anyone that may need it.

"Making simple adjustments to our surroundings opens up new opportunities for those with ‘silent’ disabilities to feel much more comfortable when out in public spaces.

"We are honoured to be part of such an inspiring and thought-provoking campaign, which is really bringing together the community here at Golden Square."

Purple Tuesday has been launched by Purple, a disability organisation which believes in bringing disabled people and businesses together.

The aim of the campaign is to increase awareness surrounding the needs of the disabled community and to encourage sustainable changes which improve customer experiences.