Bluewater shone in purple lights to celebrate staff working with a charity to improve the experience of disabled guests.

Charity Purple has been working alongside the shopping centre to teach retailers the best way to help disabled shoppers.

A regular Disability Working Group has been set up to discuss how to make shopping more inclusive for everyone.

It will provide a forum for local carers and people to talk about ways to improve.

Throughout Purple Tuesday, on November 13, Vision Communication, a sign-language training provider, performed as a Signing Choir at the centre, encouraging guests to learn a few words.

Purple chief executive Mike Adams said: “Less than 10% of companies have a dedicated strategy for targeting disabled customers, however, there are many adjustments retailers can make that will have a positive impact on disabled consumers’ shopping experiences.

Fundamentally, Purple Tuesday isn’t about a single day in the year but encouraging lasting change that creates a virtuous circle between businesses and disabled consumers.”

Bluewater general manager Robert Goodman added: “We are fully committed to ensure all of our guests have a positive experience. We are delighted to be working with Purple to ensure that Bluewater is accessible to all, and to build our team’s confidence and awareness.”