Doors and entrances

Accessible shop entrances

An accessible shop entrance is a way in that disabled customers, older people and parents with buggies can use independently, with a level or ramped approach, a low threshold, enough clear width and a door that opens with little force. It may need one change or several.

Get my free quote Call 0800 088 6341

Wheelchair user on a ramp approaching an automatic shop door

When is this the right choice?

This work suits any shop, cafe, clinic or office with a step, narrow door or heavy closer, and it is worth doing during a refit or after an access audit. The Equality Act 2010 requires reasonable adjustments from service providers in England, Scotland and Wales, and Northern Ireland uses the Disability Discrimination Act 1995. What is reasonable depends on your premises and resources.

What are the options?

Permanent rampA fixed ramp with landings and handrails, where the forecourt or private land has space. Gradient and length follow the design guidance.

Portable or folding rampA lower-cost option where a permanent ramp will not fit, used with a call bell so staff can help.

Level thresholdThe sill and floor are reworked to remove a small step, with a weather seal and drainage.

Wider door setA wider leaf, or removing a side panel, can bring the clear width up.

Power-assisted doorA push pad and low-energy operator reduce the effort needed at a heavy door.

Contrast, handles and call pointsVisible handles, manifestation and a call bell help people with sight loss or a limited grip.

How much does it cost to make a shop entrance accessible?

Making a shop entrance accessible usually costs £495 to £3,495 ex VAT depending on the work. A folding ramp and call bell sit at the lower end, while a new wider door or power-assisted opening sits higher. Work near the pavement, which may need the highway authority's agreement, along with steps, drainage and handrails, can all add cost. We give a written quote once the entrance is measured.

Guide prices exclude VAT. Your written quote is fixed after survey.

What is the specification?

Clear door width (England)	1000 mm for new buildings and 775 mm for existing buildings, straight-on approach, under Approved Document M
Threshold	Accessible threshold no more than 15 mm high, with upstands above 5 mm chamfered
Opening force (England)	Approved Document M: 30 N from 0 to 30 degrees, 22.5 N from 30 to 60 degrees
Ramp gradient (England)	Approved Document M: 1:12 for a 2 m flight, 1:15 for 5 m, 1:20 for 10 m
Design guidance	BS 8300-2 for buildings. Scotland uses the Technical Handbooks and Northern Ireland the Technical Booklets
Typical lead time	2 to 6 weeks from order (typical range)

How does the job run?

Walk the whole route
We follow the route from the pavement to the counter and note steps, widths, door forces and handles.
Rank the options
We set out options from low cost to full rebuild, so you can decide what is reasonable for your business.
Clear any consents
We check the boundary, any highway agreement and whether planning or listed building consent is needed.
Build and test
The work is finished, then we measure the opening force and clear width and show staff how any ramp or call bell works.

Common questions

Is a shop legally required to have a ramp?

Not automatically. The Equality Act 2010 requires service providers in England, Scotland and Wales to make reasonable adjustments, and it sets no fixed ramp gradient. Northern Ireland uses the Disability Discrimination Act 1995. What counts as reasonable depends on the premises, cost and resources.

What ramp gradient should I aim for?

A gradient of 1:12 is the steepest normally accepted, and only on short flights. In England, Approved Document M gives 1:12 for 2 m, 1:15 for 5 m and 1:20 for 10 m, and BS 8300 gives similar guidance. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have their own documents.

How wide should a shop door be?

In England, Approved Document M gives a clear width of 1000 mm for new buildings and 775 mm for existing buildings for external doors used by the public. Clear width is measured from the door stop to the face of the open door, not across the full leaf. Other nations have their own guidance.

Do I need permission to put a ramp on the pavement?

Usually yes. The pavement is normally public highway, so the highway authority must agree, and a ramp beyond the property line is rarely allowed. Planning permission may also be needed, and listed buildings need consent. We check the boundary and go through the options with you.

Can I make an entrance accessible in a listed building?

Often yes, with a sensitive design. Portable ramps, discreet handrails and lobby changes are common routes. Listed building consent may be needed, and the decision sits with the council. We draw up options and help you record why each change is or is not reasonable.

Which materials go with this?

Get my free quote

Free survey and a written fixed quote.

What do you need?

Choose the closest match.

Postcode

Enter a UK postcode.

Your name

Enter your name.

Phone

Enter a UK phone number.

Enter your email address.

Tell us about the job (optional)

I have read the privacy policy. My enquiry goes to S&K Group Holdings Ltd and S&K Glazing Limited, and may be shared with the fitting team for my area.Please tick to confirm.