AN ambitious new project is set to make the city of Truro more accessible and welcoming for everyone.

Access Truro is a partnership between Truro BID and Access Cornwall CIC, and will help businesses and the wider community take practical steps to remove barriers and improve experiences for residents and visitors with disabilities, health conditions and neurodivergence.

Initiatives include an Accessible Guide to Truro in print and digital format, giving residents and visitors clear, trustworthy information on accessible routes, venues, facilities and services across the city, with a map of places to shop, eat, visit and explore.

Accessibility training will provide staff with the skills and confidence to support all customers, while accessibility reviews will help them understand how to make simple, cost-effective improvements. Ramps and accessible equipment will be made available to use.

Truro BID Manager Alun Jones said: “This project is about making sure Truro is truly open to all. By working with Access Cornwall, who bring lived experience and professional expertise, we can help businesses remove barriers, attract more customers, and showcase Truro as a forward-thinking city that really cares about inclusion.”

Cllr Steven Webb will lead decision-makers through the city on an Experience Truro Differently Day. “As a wheelchair user myself, this project is really important to get those who make decisions to experience Truro the way many of us do on a daily basis,” said Cllr Webb. “Things need to change, and the Access Truro project is a great start in the right direction.”

Access Cornwall founding director Viki Carpenter added: “We’re really excited to be working in Truro. Every member of our team, including our volunteers from Truro, lives with disability or neurodivergence, so we know first-hand how important accessibility is.

“Truro has so much to offer, and this is a chance to work with the local community to celebrate the positives, highlight what businesses are already doing well, and provide practical tools and equipment to make our city even more welcoming.”

The project is funded by the Town Regeneration and Investment Programme (TRIP) with match-funding from Truro City Council. Town clerk David Rodda MBE said: “Truro is a great little city in which to live, work and visit, but we also want it to be accessible to all.

“The financial support provided by Truro City Council demonstrates our commitment to helping improve accessibility, and the opportunity to work with businesses on the high street will also help to deliver an improved understanding of the challenges they face operating in a historic city centre location.”

Truro BID is encouraging local businesses and organisations in the city to participate in one two-hour session of accessibility training this autumn. Online sessions will take place on Tuesday, October 21 and Thursday, November 20 at noon, with face-to-face training on Tuesday, November 25 from 10am and Thursday, November 27 from 2pm in Truro City Council’s training room at Truro Library.

Places are free but limited; interested parties should email [email protected] or complete the online booking form at tinyurl.com/AccessTruroTraining.