Is it expected that retailers will face any problems or difficulties?
Again, this will depend on the retailer and the provisions that need implementing. For some, adding a ramp will suffice and so inconvenience and costs are marginal. For others, there is a remote possibility that lifts will need to be installed or other major refurbishments to take place, involving higher costs and affecting day-to-day business. More typically, retailers will be looking at making sensible and reasonable changes during a normal, planned program of refurbishment. Planning permission may prove a problem for some retailers needing to alter shop frontages to make necessary changes, such as those in historic towns or listed buildings. Security may also be an issue. For example, in cases where counters need to be lowered to facilitate access for wheelchair users, there may be pressure to keep high counters to protect staff from violence or threatening behaviour. Compliance as of October 2004 will not be the end of accessibility as an issue. Requirements for retailers could cha
