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Legislation Information

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Access Statement

From April 2007 all providers of quality-assessed accommodation will need to provide an access statement, which should be a clear and honest written description of current facilities and services offered. To help operators prepare for this, VisitBritain has produced information, guidance and a template. Attractions can also use the relevant sections to create an Access Statement.
 
Full information and templates relating to Access Statements can be found on the Visit Britain website.
 
(When entering information on the template, please ensure that you also save the data in your own computer files or the data will be lost.)
 

What is an Access Statement?

An Access Statement is a clear, accurate, and above all honest description of your current facilities and the services you offer. This statement enables a potential visitor to make an informed decision as to whether your business meets their particular access needs.

From April 2007 you will be required to prepare an Access Statement as part of your quality grading assessment with VisitBritain. Thereafter, you'll need to present an Access Statement annually to your quality assessor at the time of your quality assurance visit.
 
VisitBritain is making this change to the quality assessment visit because customers today demand a high quality of service. Informing guests about your property and services, so that they can understand more about what you have to offer them and how their needs can be met, is a quality issue. An Access Statement will therefore enhance the quality of service you offer for all your customers and additionally is an essential and valuable marketing tool.
 
The purpose of this guidance is to help you prepare and write your Access Statement. The documents, template and advice should give you some new ideas or help guide you through the process of what it is you need to consider and include in your statement.
 
Accessible accommodation is not just about providing access for people in wheelchairs - many of those with rights under the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) don't use the term ‘disabled’ about themselves. Under the DDA, the law protects people of all ages with mobility and sensory impairments, learning disabilities, mental health issues and progressive conditions eg, Cancer, AIDS, from discrimination. It can cover people with heart disease, diabetes, severe disfigurement, depression, schizophrenia, dyslexia, epilepsy and Down’s syndrome. By providing an Access Statement you can help all your guests who have a specific access requirement.
 
There are many suggested items within the template to consider putting in your access statement. You are not required to cover everything contained in the ‘suggested things to consider and describe’ for each section - they are merely suggestions. However, you must use your judgement as to what information your guests/visitors need about your business. Listen to your guests and what they ask about, this will give you some good hints of what to include in your access statement. Finally, remember to keep your statement simple, clear and concise.
 
The VisitBritain guide includes:

An introduction to help you with understanding access statements - what it is, why you need one, who it is intended for, how to write one, and where to publish it.
 
A standard template which you can use to help structure your Access Statement. It gives help and suggestions with items to consider including.
 
Sample Access Statements written using the template for you to view
 
More help and advice - downloadable self-surveys and National Accessible Scheme criteria
 
Further contacts - for any extra help regarding accessibility that you may need
 
 

Fire Regulations for Accommodation (from October 2006)

When quality assessments from the AA and QIT for Visit Britain are carried out, assessors can ask for sight of the risk assessment that the operator has undertaken.
 
Where this is not available, it is unlikely the operator is complying with legislation and this will affect the confirmation of a star rating. However, there's no need to worry as there's plenty of information and advice to help you.
 
Click here for overview advice from Visit Britain regarding fire regulations in accommodation.
 
The government has produced a 147 page document which contains information for Fire Safety Risk Assessment - Sleeping Accommodation - this is available to order at a cost of £12, or you can download a FREE copy here (2.42Mb pdf).
 
The Guide is also available in two parts if you have a slower internet connection:
Download section 1 (pages 1 to 41 - 1.19Mb pdf)
Download section 2 (pages 42 to 147 - 1.05Mb pdf)
 
 
Further Fire Safety links for England are available from Visit Britain.
 
 
 

Smoke-free England Legislation - what accommodation providers need to know

 
England’s smoke-free law is in force from 1 July 2007. 
 
The law requires almost all workplaces and enclosed or substantially enclosed public places to be smoke free; there are very few exemptions and these are detailed in the Smokefree (Exemptions and Vehicles) Regulations 2007. 
 
Employers, managers and those in charge of smoke-free premises must:
  • Display approved 'no smoking' signs in prominent places at entrances;
  • Take all reasonable steps to make sure that staff, customers and visitors know the law applies; and
  • Take reasonable steps to ensure smokers don’t smoke in smoke-free areas.
 
This guidance for businesses is based on that produced by the government to help employers comply with the smoking controls detailed in the Health Act 2006. It will be particularly helpful for those who provide sleeping accommodation in hotels, guest-houses, holiday cottages and similar premises. It provides a straight-forward interpretation, but you may want to look at the Regulations in detail. These can be found online at www.smokefreeengland.co.uk   
 
You can also download or order free signs, further information and other resources from the above website or call the information line on 0800 169 1697
 
Where are smoking controls required?
Quite simply, all public areas and work areas in hotels, guest-houses and similar premises must be smoke-free at all times under the new law.  
 
Proprietors may choose to prevent smoking in all bedrooms too. The law doesn’t require you to provide a smoking shelter or any other provision for smokers. If you intend to erect a shelter, it must not be substantially enclosed and you may require planning permission.
 
Many proprietors are aware that smokers make up only about a quarter of the adult population and plan to go 'totally smoke-free'.
 
Where could smoking be allowed?

1. Self-contained temporary accommodation

Proprietors may allow smoking in self-contained temporary or holiday accommodation such as cottages, caravans, lodges or flats so long as it is rented exclusively for private use. It is important that hirers are clearly advised at the time of booking about the smoke-free status of the accommodation they intend to rent.
 

2. Designated bedrooms in hotels, guest-houses, inns, hostels, etc.

Each designated bedroom will need to satisfy the following specific requirements. 
 
It must:
  • be designated in writing. This means that it should appear on a list that can be shown to an Enforcement Officer;
  • only be a room set apart exclusively for sleeping accommodation;
  • not be used as a smoking room by employees who wish to smoke;
  • be completely enclosed on all sides by a ceiling and (except for doors and windows) solid floor-to-ceiling walls;
  • be clearly marked as a room in which smoking is allowed;
  • not have a ventilation system that ventilates into any other parts of the premises (except other designated smoking bedrooms);
  • have a mechanical door-closer that closes immediately after use if that door opens onto any smoke-free area.
It is good practice to tell potential customers about the smoke-free status of any room that they are about to rent. Non-smokers may not be comfortable in a room that has been recently occupied by a smoker.
 
This new law is designed to protect people’s health. It has been known for some time that exposure to second hand smoke increases the risk of serious lung conditions in non-smokers. The law has not been drawn up to stop smoking, but to protect workers and those present in enclosed public places. However, it may prompt some smokers to quit - anyone seeking help is invited to contact the NHS Derbyshire Stop Smoking Service on 0800 085 22 99.
 
For further information please contact Derbyshire Action on Smoking (DAS) www.smokefreederbyshire.co.uk or telephone 01246 514347.