People with disabilities are to be made especially welcome in Epsom town centre at a special event raising awareness of its accessibility.

The accessibility shopping evening, on Thursday, April 24, aims to educate those with disabilities about what the town has to offer, as well as support the launch of longer evening opening hours by some retailers in The Ashley Centre last Monday.

The event, involving shops in the shopping centre as well as others around the town centre, will start at 4pm, with retailers running activities and entertainment, tastings and demonstrations until they close.

The event has been organised by the Epsom Traders Forum, together with national deafblind charity Sense and other voluntary organisations which have united to form an 'accessibility group' for the town.

The initiative is also being championed by Marks & Spencer, which will be taking part on the night. 

The majority of shops in the town will be open until 5/5.30pm, while The Ashley Centre will be open until 8pm.

Alan Avis, of Sense, said: "One in five people have access issues due to disability, illness or age, so the accessibility of our town centre, shops and restaurants is something that really matters to a large number of people.

"There are wider benefits in getting access right for disabled people.  Good wheelchair access means good access for baby buggies, disability-aware staff provide a better customer experience for everyone.

"People are attracted to places where they feel welcome. 

"Towns that make access easy will attract more customers, which in turn attracts more shops.  It’s a win-win for everyone, disabled or not."

Representatives from charities including Action for Blind People, SeeAbility, United Response and Age Concern Epsom, will be in The Ashley Centre during the evening, giving people information about the town’s accessibility.

Allen Price, of Love Me Love My Mind, added: "Accessibility issues are not all physical.  People experiencing mental health issues may not think of themselves as having a disability, however, improved accessibility in and around the shops can make a visit to the town centre a more attractive and enjoyable experience."

Epsom's business development manager, Adam Worley, said the evening will be a great opportunity for everyone, with or without disabilities, to enjoy the town centre in the early evening and that "Epsom is doing some work to look at its accessibility issues".

The team at perfume and cosmetics store So Lippy, on Upper High Street, said: "We will be offering 15 per cent discount and free goody bags with samples and discount voucher, during the shopping event and look forward to welcoming customers, new and existing, on the evening."

Epsom Traders’ Forum launched last December to ensure the town’s traders have a collective voice to bring about change for the benefit of the town and its visitors and works closely with Mr Worley.

The forum is open to all businesses within Epsom town and meetings take place on the first Wednesday of each month.  To attend email Mr Worley on aworley@epsom-ewell.gov.uk.