Purple Tuesday: Celebrating Accessible and Inclusive Retail for Everyone
Tuesday, 4 November 2025, marked Purple Tuesday, a global celebration of accessible and inclusive shopping experiences for disabled people. Every customer deserves to feel welcome, yet 70% of disabled people say they don’t return to a business having received poor customer services. With over two million people in the UK living with sight loss, it’s a powerful reminder of why accessibility matters.
This year, Greater Manchester and South West London Sight Loss Council’s (SLC) helped retailers see shopping through the eyes of blind and partially sighted people. From coffee and chats with retailers at Manchester Arndale to an accessibility panel at Battersea Power Station, SLC members shared their lived experience, offered practical advice, and showed how small changes can make a big difference.
Greater Manchester: Turning awareness into action
Have you ever thought about what it’s like to go shopping when you can’t see the products? How would you know what colour a jumper is, or what pair of shoes you’re holding? Would staff know how to guide you or describe what’s on display?
Greater Manchester SLC joined forces with Manchester Arndale to explore these questions as part of their Purple Tuesday celebrations.
The day began with a coffee and chat session with Arndale staff, where members talked about what inclusive customer service looks like in practice. Staff who had previously taken part in our SLC Vision Awareness sessions, then put their guiding and communication skills into action out in the mall – describing products, assisting with shopping, and gaining a better understanding of the barriers BPS customers face.
Anthony, Greater Manchester SLC member, said
“The shopping experience at Manchester Arndale for Purple Tuesday was brilliant. It provided an opportunity to discuss access with staff and raise awareness. Having one to one support doing a shop provided me with more confidence and made the whole experience an enjoyable one.
“Thank you to Arndale staff for supporting VI customers not just on purple Tuesday, but year round.”
Antony looking at clothes in store
Abubakr, Greater Manchester SLC member, added:
“It was a brilliant day and a great way to celebrate Purple Tuesday. I really enjoyed talking to staff about my experiences shopping. Thank you to everyone involved.”
Abubakr standing in front of the Only Fools and Horses car in a memorabilia shop
Kelly Barton, North West Engagement Manager, said:
“Making retail more accessible for blind and partially sighted people is something that Greater Manchester Sight Loss Council has been committed to for some years now, and our partnership with Manchester Arndale is ongoing. It was lovely to spend Purple Tuesday with the team there.”
Kelly Barton, with a staff member in Lush
Diane Brady, Training and Project Manager at Manchester Arndale, added:
“Purple Tuesday is an annual event dedicated to promoting accessibility and inclusivity for disabled customers. The initiative encourages businesses to take meaningful steps to improve accessibility, ensuring that disabled customers can enjoy equal access to products, services, and experiences.
“This Purple Tuesday members of Greater Manchester Sight Loss Council were invited to Manchester Arndale to mark the occasion.
“It was a fantastic day celebrating accessibility, awareness, and the importance of making everyday experiences inclusive for everyone.”
A group shot of Greater Manchester SLC with staff from Manchester Arndale
South West London: Celebrating accessibility at Battersea Power Station
At Battersea Power Station, South West London SLC joined forces with TEAM LEWIS for a Purple Tuesday event, dedicated to improving the customer experience for disabled people. The day brought together retailers, residents, staff, and community partners to learn and share, to create a more inclusive environment.
The event began with a performance from ‘The Music Man Project’, followed by a talk from Tom Pursglove, former Minister of State for Social Security and Disability. Tom spoke about the importance of accessibility and the difference global movements like Purple Tuesday can make in every day life.
Samuel Dean, CEO of TEAM LEWIS, led a series of panel discussions on how businesses can be more inclusive. Liam O’Carroll represented SW London SLC and joined speakers from Convo and Down Syndrome UK to share his lived experience and practical tips on supporting BPS customers.
After the panel session, SLC members enjoyed a trip up the Chimney Lift, before Battersea Power Station lit its iconic chimneys purple for the evening.
Liam O’Carroll, Acting Engagement Manager for London, during the panel session
Mary, who has taken part in previous Purple Tuesday events at Battersea Power Station, said:
“It was encouraging to be part of an event that is taking another step forward in promoting and increasing the understanding of people with various disabilities.”
Haren, who was also involved in last year’s Purple Tuesday event, added:
“The event was a great showcase for Purple Tuesday, providing insights into how retail can be made more inclusive and accessible. To cap it off, being held in such an iconic London venue as the Battersea Power Station.”
Amrit, North London SLC member, said:
“Oh my goodness I loved Purple Tuesday, it was a truly brilliant event. There was so much positivity in the room and fantastic discussion from everyone. It gave me real hope that organisations want to know more about how they can make a difference to disabled shoppers.”
Amrit, North London SLC member, is feeling a large scale model of Battersea Power Station
Paresh, North London SLC member, said:
“What a wonderful experience, it was like being in a new country or a new place. The chimney experience was amazing, it was well organised, well guided – and would have been even better with audio description! The panel discussions were inclusive of multiple disabilities, it was a great day.”
Nikki, SW London SLC member, added:
“I really enjoyed the performance from the Music Man Project and how interactive that was. I enjoyed listening to the panellists and the different charities and what they offered.”
Nikki, South West London SLC member, is smiling as she talks into a microphone. She’s sat with fellow SLC member, Mary, and Head of Guest Services, JP
Liam O’Carroll, Interim Engagement Manager for London SLCs, finished by saying:
“London Sight Loss Councils are very grateful to Ethos Farm and Team Lewis for the invitation to the Purple Tuesday event at Electric Boulevard. Not least so we could input into the crucial discussions around inclusivity in the retail context and it’s importance to society at large.”
A group photo of London SLCs’ members, alongside staff and stakeholders at 50 EB
Looking Ahead
Sight Loss Councils would like to extend our thanks to Manchester Arndale, Battersea Power Station, and all the retailers, staff, and partners who joined us to make Purple Tuesday 2025 such a success.
Sight Loss Councils continue to work with retailers across the country on our #MakeRetailAccessible campaign, helping business create a welcoming and inclusive shopping experience for everyone.
Helpful tools and guides
Sight Loss Councils have created a range of resources to provide support across the sector on how best to support blind and partially sighted customers. We created these using our lived experience, working alongside retailers themselves. Our shared goal is to #MakeRetailAccessible for BPS people every day.
Download our resources below:
Join us
Passionate about making a difference? Want to influence positive change? Our Sight Loss Councils, led by blind and partially sighted volunteers, are recruiting new members. Join us today!
We use our lived experience to create positive change for others. Together, we tackle local issues and work with businesses and service providers to improve the accessibility of their services.
Join us to help ensure visually impaired people in your area can live the lives they want to lead.
Publication date: 06 November 2025