When Affinity Devon, a busy outlet shopping centre in North Devon hosting over 30 retail brands and family attractions, wanted to take its next steps towards full accessibility, they booked our Walk & Talk Advisory. Over a focused 90-minute visit, our qualified auditor walked the centre’s main entrance and customer facilities alongside an Affinity Devon representative.
Together they celebrated existing good practice such as clear signage and accessible routes, while pinpointing the key barriers that remained. By measuring door widths, inspecting ramp gradients and observing customer-staff interactions in real time, we identified three quick-win improvements (including enhanced wayfinding and adjusted ramp angles) and two medium-term projects such as dedicated seating areas.
The auditor coached the team on the spot, turning the walkthrough into an interactive learning session that boosted staff confidence in spotting and resolving access issues. Within three working days, Affinity Devon received a concise, one-page summary report of the recommended actions.
Thanks to this hands-on, straightforward approach, the centre’s manager felt immediately empowered to enhance the visitor experience.
