Accessibility Statement

1. Our accessibility commitment

Groom & Co is committed to providing an accessible and inclusive service.

We aim to remove avoidable barriers that may prevent disabled customers from:

• accessing information about our services;

• contacting the business;

• arranging a fitting;

• visiting our Jesmond premises;

• communicating their requirements; or

• using the Groom & Co website.

Service providers have a duty under the Equality Act 2010 to consider reasonable adjustments where disabled customers would otherwise experience a substantial disadvantage. What is reasonable depends on factors including practicality, effectiveness, cost and the organisation’s resources. Customers must not be charged for reasonable adjustments. (GOV.UK)

2. Using this website

We aim to make the Groom & Co website clear, simple and accessible.

Where supported by your browser or device, you should be able to:

• zoom in without losing access to essential content;

• increase or decrease text size;

• navigate the website using a keyboard;

• use screen-reading software;

• use speech-recognition software;

• view the website on mobile phones, tablets and desktop computers;

• distinguish text from its background;

• understand links and buttons from their wording;

• move through pages using a logical heading structure;

• pause or avoid unnecessary movement and animation; and

• complete website forms using labels and instructions.

These features must be tested before the website is described as fully supporting them.

3. Accessibility standard

We aim to design and maintain the website in accordance with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines version 2.2, Level AA.

WCAG 2.2 is an internationally recognised accessibility standard organised around four principles: content should be perceivable, operable, understandable and robust. Level AA contains testable requirements commonly used as the target for accessible websites. (W3C)

Our use of WCAG 2.2 Level AA is an accessibility target. It should not be interpreted as a claim of complete conformance unless the finished website has been tested against all applicable success criteria.

4. Measures taken to support accessibility

The Groom & Co website is being designed to include:

• clear and consistent navigation;

• descriptive page titles;

• a logical heading hierarchy;

• readable text sizes;

• sufficient colour contrast;

• visible keyboard-focus indicators;

• descriptive text for links and buttons;

• alternative text for meaningful images;

• labels and instructions for form fields;

• understandable error messages;

• responsive layouts for different screen sizes;

• avoidance of flashing content;

• limited use of automatic animation;

• controls for any moving content;

• accessible contact information; and

• alternatives to visual-only information.

Decorative images may use empty alternative text so that screen readers can ignore them.

Images containing important information should have a meaningful text alternative or equivalent information within the page content.

5. Website platform and third-party services

The Groom & Co website is built using Squarespace.

The domain is registered and managed through Wix.

Some aspects of the website may depend on features or code provided by Squarespace or other third parties. These may include:

• forms;

• cookie-preference controls;

• maps;

• social-media links or feeds;

• review widgets;

• videos;

• appointment-booking systems; and

• payment services.

We will take reasonable steps to select and configure accessible services. However, third-party content may not always meet the same accessibility standard as the main Groom & Co website.

Where a third-party feature creates a barrier, customers can contact us directly for an alternative way to obtain information or access the relevant service.

6. Contacting Groom & Co

Customers do not have to use the website to contact us.

You can contact Groom & Co using the following methods:

Telephone: 0191 281 9799

Email: info@groomofjesmond.co.uk

Address:

Groom & Co
10a Clayton Road
Jesmond
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE2 4RP

You may contact us if you:

• experience difficulty using the website;

• need information in another format;

• require assistance making an enquiry;

• need to discuss access requirements;

• require a reasonable adjustment for an appointment; or

• cannot access a website form or third-party feature.

Please explain what you need and how you would prefer us to respond.

7. Alternative formats

Where reasonably possible, we can provide website or service information in an alternative format.

This may include:

• plain-text information by email;

• information explained by telephone;

• larger text;

• written appointment information;

• directions without relying on an embedded map;

• assistance completing an enquiry; or

• another appropriate communication method.

The format available will depend on the nature of the request and what can reasonably be provided.

We will not charge a disabled customer for a reasonable adjustment. (GOV.UK)

8. Visiting Groom & Co

Groom & Co provides in-person fitting and alteration services from:

10a Clayton Road
Jesmond
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE2 4RP

Customers who have access requirements are encouraged to contact us before visiting so that we can discuss appropriate arrangements.

Depending on the customer’s needs and what is reasonably practicable, adjustments may include:

• arranging an appointment at a quieter time;

• allowing additional appointment time;

• providing seating;

• allowing a companion, carer or interpreter to attend;

• communicating instructions in writing;

• allowing an assistance dog;

• adapting the fitting process where reasonably possible; or

• discussing another suitable arrangement.

The physical access details of the premises, including the entrance, steps, door width and fitting-room accessibility, must be confirmed before a definitive description is published.

9. Assistance dogs

Recognised assistance dogs are welcome where reasonably practicable.

Customers may contact us before their appointment if they wish to discuss space, access or any specific requirements.

10. Communication support

Please tell us if you need us to adjust the way we communicate with you.

Reasonable communication adjustments may include:

• using email rather than telephone;

• using telephone rather than an online form;

• providing clear written appointment details;

• allowing more time for communication;

• repeating or rephrasing information;

• allowing another person to communicate on your behalf; or

• providing information in a simpler format.

We will consider each request according to the individual circumstances.

11. Known accessibility limitations

The completed website has not yet been independently audited against all WCAG 2.2 Level AA success criteria.

Potential limitations may include:

• content or controls provided by Squarespace;

• embedded maps;

• externally hosted review content;

• social-media content;

• third-party booking tools;

• older photographs without complete alternative text;

• downloadable documents that have not been accessibility checked; and

• content supplied by external providers.

This section should be updated following testing of the completed website.

Any confirmed problem should state:

• the affected content or feature;

• how it affects users;

• whether an alternative is available;

• what corrective work is planned; and

• the expected review or completion date.

12. Forms

Website forms should be designed so that:

• every field has a clear label;

• required fields are identified;

• instructions appear before they are needed;

• error messages explain how to correct a problem;

• keyboard users can reach every control;

• focus remains visible;

• forms do not rely solely on colour;

• time limits are avoided where possible; and

• users receive confirmation after submitting information.

Customers who cannot use a website form may contact us by telephone or email instead.

13. Images

Images used throughout the website should be handled according to their purpose.

Meaningful images should have alternative text describing the relevant information or function.

Decorative images should normally be hidden from assistive technology using empty alternative text.

Alternative text should not:

• repeat nearby wording unnecessarily;

• begin with phrases such as “image of” unless needed;

• be used for keyword stuffing; or

• attempt to describe every visual detail where only the function is relevant.

Before-and-after images should be supported by text explaining what alteration is being shown.

14. Video and audio

Where Groom & Co publishes video containing speech or important sound, we will aim to provide:

• accurate captions;

• a transcript where appropriate;

• controls to pause and play;

• no automatic playback with sound; and

• audio description or an equivalent explanation where essential visual information is not otherwise available.

Decorative video should not prevent users from reading or navigating the website.

15. Colour, contrast and text

The website should not use colour as the only method of communicating information.

Text and interactive controls should have sufficient contrast against their backgrounds.

Users should be able to enlarge text and zoom the page without essential content becoming unavailable or overlapping.

Large text placed over photographs should use an overlay or other treatment that preserves readability.

16. Keyboard access

Interactive website features should be usable without a mouse.

Keyboard users should be able to:

• move through links and controls in a logical order;

• see which item currently has focus;

• open and close menus;

• use form controls;

• activate buttons; and

• leave pop-ups or overlays without becoming trapped.

Any custom website components should be tested manually with a keyboard.

17. Motion and animation

The website should avoid unnecessary moving or flashing content.

Where animation is used:

• it should not flash at a rate that could create a health risk;

• it should not interfere with reading;

• essential actions should not depend on animation;

• automatic movement should be capable of being paused where required; and

• reduced-motion device preferences should be respected where technically possible.

18. Accessibility testing

The finished website should be tested using a combination of automated and manual checks.

Recommended testing includes:

• keyboard-only navigation;

• browser zoom up to 400%;

• text resizing;

• colour-contrast checks;

• mobile and tablet testing;

• screen-reader testing;

• form-label and error-message checks;

• heading-structure review;

• alternative-text review;

• focus-order review;

• reduced-motion testing; and

• testing of cookie controls and third-party integrations.

Automated tools alone cannot confirm complete accessibility.

The website should not claim full WCAG conformance unless the applicable success criteria have been assessed and any failures addressed.

19. Reporting an accessibility problem

Please contact us if you experience an accessibility problem with the website or Groom & Co’s services.

Email: info@groomofjesmond.co.uk

Telephone: 0191 281 9799

Please include, where possible:

• the page or service you were trying to use;

• the problem you experienced;

• the device or browser being used;

• any assistive technology involved; and

• the alternative format or adjustment you need.

We aim to acknowledge accessibility enquiries within five working days.

More complex requests may require additional time, but we will explain what action is being considered and provide an update where appropriate.

20. Complaints

We aim to resolve accessibility concerns directly and constructively.

Please contact Groom & Co first using the details above.

If your concern relates to discrimination or a failure to make reasonable adjustments, you may wish to seek independent legal or equality advice.

Nothing in this statement affects any rights available under the Equality Act 2010 or other applicable law.

21. Statement preparation and review

This statement was prepared on 18 July 2026.

It will be reviewed:

• after the new website is completed;

• following accessibility testing;

• when substantial website functionality changes;

• when a major third-party integration is introduced; and

• at least annually.

Next scheduled review: July 2027

The statement should be updated sooner where a significant accessibility problem is identified.

22. Business details

Groom & Co
10a Clayton Road
Jesmond
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE2 4RP

Telephone: 0191 281 9799

Email: info@groomofjesmond.co.uk