THE Golden Cross Hotel in Bromsgrove town centre has been given an award by Bromsgrove District Council for its ease of access for disabled people, and for how friendly and helpful its staff are.

The Bromsgrove No Barriers Award recognises where good service is given to disabled people in the town and is given out to businesses which meet certain criteria as a mark of quality.

Although the award is presented by Bromsgrove District Council., it is judged by members of the Bromsgrove Disabled Access Group, who visit various establishments, giving feedback on their experiences.

Members of the group joined the civic head of the council Councillor Helen Jones, to present the award last week.

A spokesman for the Bromsgrove Disabled Access Group said: “We have visited the Golden Cross recently and asked various questions about access which were answered by the staff. The staff are always very friendly and willing to help with any access needs and enquiries.”

Councillor Mark Bullivant is the portfolio holder for equalities at Bromsgrove District Council.

He added: “The council has worked with the Bromsgrove Disabled Access Group to bring about these awards which recognise where good service is provided to disabled people. It is always pleasing to see that the No Barriers Award is valued by local businesses.”

The Golden Cross was originally nominated for the award in 2012 by a Bromsgrove resident who called staff ‘very kind and always helpful’.

No Barriers awards have been given out in recent years to several businesses including Amber Support Service, Anna Horton, The Artrix, Asda, Barnt Green Surgery, Card Party, Care Force Ltd, Coffee2, Core Assets, Gold ‘N’ Black, The Grapevine, The Great Park Pub in Rubery, Knight’s Pharmacy, Lloyds Pharmacy, Parking Attendants – Shopmobility, and Ryman’s Stationery.

Currently there are no plans to issue further awards, but Bromsgrove Disabled Access Group will be returning to previous award winners to see whether standards have been maintained.