Blue Badge Access Awards deadline extended to March

The deadline for entry to the Blue Badge Access Awards has been extended from February to 1 March.

The Blue Badge Access Awards have brought together two design competitions – the Bespoke Access Awards and the Blue Badge Style Awards – with the support of charity Leonard Cheshire, encouraging hospitality industry bosses, architects and designers worldwide to consider ways in which they can address the needs of disabled people.

Ranging from Innovative Inclusive Design (open to designers and architects) to Best Hotel, Access Champion of the Year and a People’s Choice Award, the BBAA has 13 nomination categories and two design awards.

Winners of the Conceptual Design Awards, comprising categories such as Best Hotel/Hospitality Innovative Inclusive Design and Best Inclusive Guest Innovation, will win £20,000.

Chair of judges and chief executive of Blue Badge Style, Fiona Jarvis, said: “The Blue Badge Access Awards give recognition to businesses and establishments that have addressed accessibility imaginatively and thoughtfully.

“We welcome nominations from members of the public for accessible venues they have encountered; from design professionals for their own designs; and from venue managers and owners who have achieved high accessibility standards or introduced innovations.

“We have extended the BBAA deadline to discover more incredible businesses who have achieved just this and look forward to reading more about establishments who champion accessibility and inclusion.”

The awards evening will take place on 28 April at Hotel Brooklyn in Manchester. The winners will be picked by a panel of judges including Robin Sheppard, chairman of Bespoke Hotels Group; Tina Norden, director at Conran and Partners; BBC journalist Alex Taylor; former RIBA president Jane Duncan; Michael Vermeersch, accessibility product marketing manager at Microsoft; Page Group chief executive Steve Ingham; and Kellie Rixon, chair of the Institute of Hospitality.

Click here for more information and to apply for the Blue Badge Access Awards, or email fiona@bluebadgeaccessawards.com for an entry form.