My name is Julie, I love visiting the Pleasure Beach in Blackpool. This joy, however, is bittersweet for me because I am wheelchair-bound. Because of this, my experience at these fairgrounds is limited. I, like many others, am unable to fully enjoy the fair rides because there is no adequate provision for disabled access.

This, unfortunately, is not unique to Blackpool. According to Scope, a disability equality charity in England and Wales, approximately 45% of fairgrounds across the UK lack suitable disabled access, thereby significantly impairing the experiences of disabled individuals nationwide (Scope, 2019).

Fairgrounds are a place of joy, where people gather to enjoy entertainments, often marking the culmination of their hard work, or to spend time with family and friends. It’s unjust for people like me, who ought to be a part of this joyous community atmosphere, to be excluded due to the inadequate provisions in place for those with physical disabilities.

Therefore, we call on local council authorities and fairground operators, specifically in Blackpool, to take immediate action to fit all fairgrounds with adequate disabled access, ensuring that every citizen, irrespective of their physical ability, can enjoy the fair rides.

Stand with us. Help us make fairgrounds across the country, starting with Blackpool, accessible for all. Please sign and share this petition to drive change.