Chairs campaign for Sevenoaks

A campaign to promote placing chairs in shops for the less able has claimed victory, thanks to newfound support from enthusiastic businesses.

Traders in Sevenoaks are to trial seats to encourage people to shop in town.

Pregnant women, the sick, elderly and those who just want to put their feet up will benefit from the campaign, said Lyndall Hacker, who came up with the idea.

"I was shopping with my pregnant daughter and both of us needed a seat," she explained.

"I also remember my mother used to love coming into Sevenoaks to shop but without seats it made it very difficult.

"It is an important way to maintain independence and it is something shops need to think about because of the aging population in Sevenoaks.

"But it is not just elderly people," she went on. "Pregnant women or those not feeling well – everyone needs a sit-down once in a while."

"Even if they know there are seats they can stop off on their way to the supermarket – and it draws people into shops which is always good for business."

Armed with a Chronicle reporter, Mrs Hacker, 70, of Bradbourne Road, trawled the High Street in an attempt to convince shop owners to get onboard.

Her efforts were supported by a generous donation of two varieties of chairs from Jim Giddings, who runs a furniture business in Watery Lane, Kemsing.

Stationers and toy shop Lorimers, camera shop Fuji Film and Marks and Spencer were all keen to help and agreed to fit a chair into their shops.

Mrs Hacker started her campaign nearly three years ago and hopes one day seats will feature in shops nationwide.

Although there has been some success in Sevenoaks, she has come up against a battle over health and safety and space.

"I think it is ridiculous – of course, people can find space for a chair, they just say no because they don't know what to say," said Mrs Hacker.

"Some shops say they have chairs and will bring them out if people ask – but often people are too embarrassed to ask or shop assistants are busy."