A rural butchery that caters to all customers as part of the business model

Breaking Down Barriers at Morgans Butchery (2023) is a rural inclusion model. Measures: Makaton staff training, Braille prices, PECS symbols, deaf-awareness course, accessibility guide and accessible catering. Impact: +45% disabled customers; £20,000 grant.

Morgans Butchery is a small, family-run business in Halstead (Essex) focusing on providing its retail and catering services for all customers. The Breaking Down Barriers project removes obstacles through a variety of measures such as a Braille price lists, hearing loops, and staff training in Makaton – an easy-to-learn communication system combining speech, signs, and symbols. By mid-2025, Morgans Butchery had over 60 regular customers with disabilities shopping independently, an increase of 45 per cent since the launch of the programme in 2023.

Problems Targeted

Typical butcheries exclude customers with disabilities due to the lack of trained staff, accessible layouts, and assisting aids for shoppers.

Solution, Innovation and Impact

Breaking Down Barriers, implemented by Morgans Butchery in 2023, is an inclusive shopping model that enables customers with disabilities to shop independently and with confidence. It combines modification in the retail space, staff training, and accessible communication tools to remove the most common obstacles. Features are fully integrated into daily operations and delivered by all the staff, with a variety of measures that make inclusion practical for rural, underserved communities: Braille price lists for clear pricing, staff trained in Makaton for inclusive communication, and a calm, clearly laid-out shop to reduce sensory overload and support orientation. Morgans has created its own PECS symbols for non-verbal customers, and is co-developing a bespoke ‘deaf awareness’ course with the UK-based Deaf Umbrella organization tailored to small independent stores to better support Deaf customers’ independence. In parallel, Morgans Butchery is producing an accessibility guide to the shop and surrounding area. Morgan’s Butchery extends its approach to catering for local events, by ensuring venues are accessible, training off-site staff in customer care, food safety, and accessibility; and coordinating with organizers in advance on dietary and mobility needs. Since its launch in 2023, Morgans Butchery has seen a 45 per cent increase in customers with disabilities, with over 60 shopping independently by mid-2025.

Funding, Outlook and Transferability

Breaking Down Barriers came with moderate additional costs to implement, supported by a £20,000 Disabled Entrepreneurs Grant for initial investments. Most importantly, accessibility is part of the business strategy, having improved revenues substantially over the past years. Morgans Butchery aims to expand further with remote options, training, and by sharing its model for wider adoption. (#ZeroCall26)

Pictures

Morgans Butchery in Halstead, Essex, welcomes ALL customers through a variety of measures.

Morgans Butchery in Halstead, Essex, welcomes ALL customers through a variety of measures.

Select this picture Select this picture