Case study - Welcoming guests with disabilities

The Hytte

Having accessible accommodation makes good business sense, according to Sonja Gregory. She and her husband Simon are the couple behind The Hytte, a self-catering timber lodge with a grass roof inspired by Norwegian designs.

Since opening the four-bedroom cottage, complete with hot tub, sauna and separate fully accessible shower room, the Gregorys have experienced an average 90% occupancy all year round.

“Many people are frightened at the thought of guests with disabilities,” says Sonja. “But we’ve never had any problems. Around 70% of groups who come here include someone with some kind of disability, and they always leave the place spotless. And they’re very loyal, so we get a lot of repeat business – many who came this year were on their third visit.”

Sonja and Simon had no previous experience of letting out self-catering accommodation – he was a sheep shearer and she was a midwife. Sonja says, “My nursing background helped a little, as I was aware of the needs of wheelchair users, and I also worked on an eye ward for a while, but it was still a steep learning curve. I’d recommend that everyone attends the Welcome All training course to learn the basics.

“Making accommodation accessible is not necessarily expensive. An accessible shower cubicle would have cost about £1,000, so we put in a wet room instead, with a raised toilet and some hand rails, which was far cheaper. Not only that – it’s easier to clean!”