There are, of course, many businesses who have worked tirelessly behind the scenes – refurbishing their premises, rethinking their branding, and putting plans in place to prosper once they reopen for good.
My question is, during this time of picking themselves up, dusting themselves down, checking Boris’ ever-changing guidelines, and planning for a brighter tomorrow, how many of these businesspeople have taken the time to focus on what they can do to welcome back all their potential customers?
Here is a sobering fact – 1 in 6 of us now have some form of hearing loss, and by 2035, approximately 14.2 million people UK-wide will be experiencing problems with their hearing.
When our current lockdowns end for good, a significant number of potential customers will want to rush back to their favourite coffee shop, eat at their preferred restaurants, and plan to stay in that lovely hotel or B&B they’ve been thinking of throughout this past year.
Some of these potential customers will likely be deaf, and while some may lipread, many will struggle to see your face and lips if you’re wearing a mask, or be unable to hear you in a crowded public space.