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Konditor partner with the Disability Justice Project to donate 20p from every curly whirly brownie sold
London cake shop, Konditor, has launched a new partnership in a bid to increase awareness of accessibility issues across the nation. The Equality Act 2010 says businesses must make ‘reasonable adjustments’ so as not to exclude disabled people from easily accessing their goods and services. This is something Konditor was not aware of until brought to its attention by Esther Leighton. Konditor has now made its shops accessible to wheelchair users and, in addition, will donate 20p from each Curly Whirly brownie sold to the Disability Justice Project (from June to November 2019).
Konditor recently updated three of its stores, fitting them with ramps, and wants to spread a message of how easy it is to ensure that all companies are readily accessible for all customers. After not knowing the ramps were initially needed, its stores simply required two off-the-shelf suitcase ramps, purchasable online, and one more unusual – but still easily available – ramp due to a narrow pavement.
CEO Paul Cons says: “Until Esther bought this issue to our attention, I’m ashamed to say we had simply not fully considered the needs of our disabled customers or realised what was required of us by law. Our mission is to spread joy and we never want to exclude anyone. This has been a welcome wake-up call for us and we’re glad to have addressed this issue in the business. Thanks to a passionate campaigner like Esther, we’ve made the changes, but feel she shouldn’t have had to bring it to our attention in the first place. It’s time the law changed so licensing authorities can enforce this and so we are happy to support the Disability Justice Project and their campaign.”
Konditor welcomed the opportunity to bring themselves into the 21st century, where everyone should be able to enjoy their range of delicious cakes and tasty bakes without prejudice. Konditor is committed to equality through everything it does, with regular charitable partnerships in support of causes close to its heart – Stonewall, The Albert Kennedy Trust and Marie Curie UK – and is committed to ensuring these values are rolled out across all six stores, including re-training of staff with an independent accessibility expert consultant.
Konditor would like to apologise to anyone who has visited their shops in the past and been unable to gain access, including Esther Leighton who brought this issue to their attention. Konditor looks forward to welcoming them back in the near future to their newly accessible stores and would also encourage any feedback about other things it can do in its stores to ensure that everybody feels welcome.
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- The partnership will run for 6 months June – November.
- Konditor is a 21st Century family-run cake business. Since 1993 the company has shared its passion for baking with Londoners to earn the deservedly legendary status it enjoys today. With its six stores across London, a same day cake delivery service and a Cake School, there is no better place to share in the joy of cake than Konditor.
- www.konditor.co.uk
- Konditor products are available to buy in-store, online or via telephone order (020 7633 3333)
- #SpreadJoyThroughCake
- Disability Justice Project supports Deaf and Disabled people and their organisations to use the law to fight for their rights. This project is run by Inclusion London.
- If you’d like to find out more about how your company can not only comply with, but exceed, the law you can contact Esther Leighton on esther@reasonableaccess.org.uk, for more information you can visit the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) Guidance for Service Providers.
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