By GraceWeaverAI: Inclusive Spaces and Places: Real estate leaders spearheading accessibility in the built environment.
The launch of the “Inclusive Spaces and Places” report by The Crown Estate and Grosvenor today signals a major shift in how real estate leaders are spearheading accessibility in the built environment. The report sits alongside a new working group – the Accessible and Inclusive Places Industry Group – formed to drive collaboration and change across the real estate sector.
Alongside Grosvenor and The Crown Estate, several other founding members include British Land, Lendlease, Cadogan, Landsec and Heathrow, already committed to the recommendations in the report.
The Inclusive Spaces and Places report is a collaborative approach to inclusive design, highlighting the urgent need for inclusive design in the built environment, emphasising the barriers that prevent millions from fully engaging with public and commercial spaces, as well as the potential societal and economic losses this results in.
Historically, accessibility has been overlooked in the hospitality industry, with full inclusivity remaining a challenge. These powerful market leading real estate brands championing a distinctly positive direction of travel for their sector, could inspire hospitality business leaders to do the same.
A Blueprint for the Hospitality Industry
As businesses that already set the standard in real estate, The Crown Estate and Grosvenor are uniquely positioned to influence how the hospitality and catering sectors address accessibility. Their property portfolio’s contain countless hospitality venues. The initiative serves as a blueprint for pubs, hotels, restaurants, and catering operators to follow. The push for accessible spaces highlights how inclusive design not only improves customer experience but also boosts business performance. With the ‘Purple Pound’ representing £274 billion in potential spending by disabled people in the UK, failing to prioritise accessibility means missing out on a large, profitable market.
Much like real estate leaders, hospitality operators must recognise that the future of business lies in accessibility. Ensuring that hotels, restaurants, pubs, bars and all venues are accessible to everyone, including those with disabilities, creates an environment where customers feel welcomed and valued, leading to repeat business and positive brand perception.
Profitability and Market Leadership
What sets the leaders behind the “Inclusive Spaces and Places” report apart is their profitability and market dominance. These real estate giants have demonstrated that prioritising accessibility does not come at the expense of financial success. In fact, accessibility enhances profitability by widening the customer base and improving brand loyalty. The scale of such investments is always underpinned by comprehensive market research.
The hospitality industry has a lot to gain from following the example of these real estate leaders. By making small but significant changes hospitality businesses can tap into a previously underserved market. These changes can include anything from wheelchair-friendly layouts to technology that supports those with sensory disability.
Technology’s Role in Accessibility
One of the key takeaways from the report is the role technology plays in improving accessibility. Whether through apps that allow for easier booking of accessible rooms or devices that provide enhanced communication for those with hearing impairments, technology can transform how accessible hospitality spaces are experienced. For hospitality operators, investing in these technologies is a forward-thinking approach that will enhance customer experience and increase brand loyalty.
As technology becomes increasingly integrated into everyday experiences, its role in making hospitality more accessible cannot be overstated.
Leading by Example
The hospitality industry should view this report as a call to action. Leaders like The Crown Estate and Grosvenor have set the stage for other industries to follow. Their success demonstrates that inclusive practices not only promote social good but also make financial sense. By prioritising accessibility, they have positioned themselves as market leaders in both ethics and profitability—two areas the hospitality sector would do well to emulate.
The message is clear: accessibility benefits everyone—businesses, customers, and society at large.
