Press Release London, 5 October 2017, Blue Badge Style Awards’ Best Loo goes to Brook Green Pavillion in London, designed by Motion Spot! Most Ludicrous Loo to Café Royale. Ten stylish hotels, restaurants and bars won a BLADE at the 2017 Blue Badge Style Awards last night at Lutyens, supported by Bespoke Access & Hewi.
“The Brook Green community made a huge effort to include a stylish disabled loo in this public pavillion. We love this level of effort!” said Founder of Blue Badge Style, Fiona Jarvis.
She continued “all of the finalists are recommended by Blue Badge Style, but the winners have made a special effort. Too often people with disabilities don’t go out because they don’t know what to expect when they get there. Places like these make it easy and elegant!”
The ceremony recognises venues which have made an effort to attract guests with disabilities. All the finalists rate at least 2.5 Blue Badge Style Ticks for their style, facilities and accessibility (from a maximum of 3).
The winners include a listed building (Dorsett), a bistro in Wales (Bryn Williams), an adjustable sink in Germany (Ritz Carlton) and No.10 Downing Street. The award for the most ludicrous loo went to Café Royale in London. Fiona Jarvis said, “this loo was a real disappointment. It’s large, but missing the necessary bars and the emergency cord is above head height. It’s such as waste!”
The ceremony was also the first chance to see Blue Badge Style DRINK in action. An elegant glass holder for people who have their hands full, it was developed with the support of Design Council Spark programme. As Fiona says, “You can’t circulate at a party in a wheelchair and hold your glass. DRINK means everyone can be effortlessly independent…without spilling a drop!”.
Blue Badge Style BEST LOO – Brook Green Pavillion, London
“The Brook Green community made a huge effort to include a stylish disabled loo in this public pavillion”
Blue Badge Style BEST BAR – BUDGET – Pergola, Paddington Central, London
“Great access and they even rectified a problem with the bars in the loo while we were there”
Blue Badge Style BEST BAR – UPMARKET – Dandelyan at The Mondrian
“No-one is left out at the Dandelyan. We can all enjoy the amazing cocktails and décor because of their amazing access”
Blue Badge Style BEST RESTAURANT – BUDGET – Bryn Williams, Porth Eirias, Wales
“For the second year running! The bistro offers accessibility with a view”
Blue Badge Style BEST RESTAURANT – UPMARKET – M, Victoria St, London
“It’s a modern building, but they’ve managed to create a cool atmosphere and add great access”
BEST BOUTIQUE HOTEL/RESORT – Zetter Townhouse, Marylebone, London
“The Zetter has thought of everything! It’s accessible, despite being an old building, and they’ve kept the boutique style”
Blue Badge Style & Bespoke Access Award, BEST UPMARKET HOTEL – Beaumont Hotel, Mayfair, London
“The Beaumont shows that being in an old building is no excuse for not having excellent access. This is a splendid Art deco experience for everyone”
Blue Badge Style BEST EUROPEAN VENUE – Ritz Carlton, Wolfsburg, Germany
“The only hotel we know of, where they have an adjustable bed and sink!”
Blue Badge Style BEST LISTED BUILDING – Dorsett, Shepherds Bush, London
“The Dorsett has an amazing 27 accessible rooms & two with ceiling hoists – probably a record for the UK and all in a Grade II Listed Building which is normally the excuse for not bothering!”
Blue Badge Style ABOVE & BEYOND – No.10 Downing Street
“This is a very old building, but No. 10 has pulled out all the stops. It has stylish disabled toilets on every floor and a carpeted Sesame lift to take you up just a few stairs, making the majority of the building accessible to all”
Judges
The Awards were judged by founder of Blue Badge Style, Fiona Jarvis, Director at Conran and Partners, Tina Norden, and BBC journalist, Alex Taylor.
All over for 2017! The nominees and winners were of an incredible standard and looking forward to more venues with style and accessibility for 2018. Send your entries of places you love by contacting us!
