The Rat Trap in Stratton is just one of the many pubs in the town that has introduced changes to comply with the amendments to the 1995 Disability Discrimination Act.

Swindon brewery Arkells have carried out work on half of their 102 pubs in order to improve access.

The Rat Trap employs 11 people and as such is not yet included in the DDA legislation.

But as landlord Mark Richardson said: "This is the way it is going everyone will have to make themselves accessible to disabled people sooner or later."

The improvements to access at the Rat Trap include widening a doorway, installing a ramp into the building, putting ramps in place of steps inside the pub and building a new disabled toilet with an emergency alarm.

The changes cost more than £13,000.

Mark said: "It's definitely a big asset to the pub. We get quite a few disabled people in here.

"But it's not just about the takings, it's about the feelgood factor because at the end of the day we're in the service industry and it's all about providing good service for everybody.

"All small businesses should make changes where they can because you've got to put something back in, you can't just keep taking out of a business and expect it to do well these changes are the way forward."

Mark has also installed a smaller pool table so that wheelchair users can play the game.

He said: "We've got a group of four wheelchair users who come in and play pool. We got a smaller table so that they could get round it. We call them the wheelie gang."

One man who appreciates the changes the Rat Trap has made is Wheelie gang member Kevin Moore.

Kevin said: "It's much more relaxing going out now because we know we will be able to get around. There used to be a lot of steps and no toilet but it's a lot better now."

Speaking of small business in Swindon generally Kevin added: "I think a lot of them are coming round but there are still a few more that need to make the effort and make like easier for us. It's getting better slowly."

THE RAT TRAP, Stratton