Christmas Installation Still Guaranteed – 
As the festive season approaches and Black Friday looms, many of us are gearing up for gift shopping, family trips and holiday plans. But for people with mobility needs – older adults, wheelchair users or anyone needing step-free access – festive shopping can bring hidden challenges.
That’s why here at Halton Stairlifts, we reviewed the 25 largest shopping centres in the UK to identify which ones genuinely support mobility needs. We checked each centre for:
- Mobility hire (wheelchairs and scooters)
- Changing Places toilet facilities
- Accessible toilets
- Clear accessibility information online
- Quiet hours or sensory-friendly sessions
UK Shopping Centres Accessibility League Table (2025)
| Rank | Shopping Centre | Location | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | centre:mk | Milton Keynes | 5/5 |
| 2 | Meadowhall | Sheffield | 5/5 |
| 3 | Silverburn | Glasgow | 5/5 |
| 4 | Highcross | Leicester | 5/5 |
| 5 | Telford Centre | Telford | 5/5 |
| 6 | Trafford Centre | Manchester | 4/5 |
| 7 | Bluewater | Kent | 4/5 |
| 8 | Bullring & Grand Central | Birmingham | 4/5 |
| 9 | Liverpool ONE | Liverpool | 4/5 |
| 10 | St David’s | Cardiff | 4/5 |
| 11 | Eldon Square | Newcastle | 4/5 |
| 12 | Derbion | Derby | 4/5 |
| 13 | Cabot Circus | Bristol | 4/5 |
| 14 | Braehead | Renfrew | 4/5 |
| 15 | Kingfisher | Redditch | 4/5 |
| 16 | Westfield London | London | 4/5 |
| 17 | Manchester Arndale | Manchester | 4/5 |
| 18 | Westfield Stratford City | London | 4/5 |
| 19 | Metrocentre | Gateshead | 4/5 |
| 20 | Festival Place | Basingstoke | 4/5 |
| 21 | St James Quarter | Edinburgh | 4/5 |
| 22 | Atria Watford | Watford | 3/5 |
| 23 | Merry Hill | Brierley Hill | 3/5 |
| 24 | Lakeside Shopping Centre | Thurrock | 3/5 |
| 25 | Royal Victoria Place | Tunbridge Wells | 3/5 |
What the Scores Mean
5/5 centres — offer full accessibility: mobility hire, Changing Places toilets or accessible toilets, good public information, and are generally best suited for shoppers with mobility needs.
4/5 centres — generally very accessible but may lack things like quiet hours or a clearly published Changing Places facility. These are solid choices for most visitors.
3/5 centres — may not have all accessibility features in place or have unclear online information. If you or someone you know depends on mobility aids, it’s worth calling ahead or checking the centre’s website before visiting.
Regional Highlights
- North West: Trafford Centre, Liverpool ONE and Manchester Arndale stand out — though none currently list quiet hours.
- Midlands: Bullring, Highcross and Derbion perform well. Merry Hill has room for improvement.
- Scotland: Silverburn, Braehead and St James Quarter rank highly. Quiet-hours information is rare in the region.
- South East: centre:mk, Bluewater and Festival Place are strong picks. Atria Watford and Royal Victoria Place scored lower.
- Wales: St David’s Cardiff performs well overall, but lacks confirmed quiet-hour sessions.
- South West: Cabot Circus offers good access, though quiet-hour info is not listed.
- North East: Metrocentre and Eldon Square rank solidly, but quiet-hour scheduling is unclear.
- Yorkshire & Humber: Meadowhall leads the region as a top performer. There are no lowest-scoring centres here.
- East of England: Lakeside (Thurrock) scored lower; its accessibility documentation is limited.
Why This Matters
In the UK, more than 14 million people live with mobility challenges. For many, accessible environments aren’t just conveniences – they’re essential for safety, independence and dignity. A shopping trip can feel like a normal part of life, rather than a stressful challenge.
Our goal at Halton Stairlifts is to shine a light on what “accessibility” really looks like, and encourage shopping centres, and home environments alike, to meet the needs of everyone.
Need Help at Home? We Can Help There Too
Safe, accessible public spaces matter, but so does your home. If stairs are becoming difficult, we supply and install straight and curved stairlifts, including reconditioned units. Our service is designed for comfort, safety and peace of mind.
