A severely sight impaired woman who was once asked to leave a shop for entering with her guide dog is now drawing on her lived experience to help businesses improve accessibility.

Sangeeta Uppaladinni first attracted public attention in 2012 after being told to leave a London souvenir shop during a visit for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations. That incident, along with the wider challenges she has encountered, has since inspired her to take action.

She is now introducing Brand Positive Encounters®, a venture focused on helping organisations make their brand touchpoints more inclusive for pan-disabled customers, while also enabling businesses to unlock the value of the “purple pound”.

“Too many businesses are still treating accessibility as a compliance exercise instead of looking at the whole customer experience journey,” Ms Uppaladinni, from Alsager, Cheshire, said.

“There are 16.1 million disabled people in the UK, with a collective spending power of £446 billion a year. Can businesses afford to miss out on that?

“When businesses make their brand touchpoints accessible, they can tap into that spending power as another revenue stream. At the same time, pan-disabled people can buy from the brands they want to love, with ease. It’s a win-win.”

At the centre of the venture is what Sangeeta identifies as a largely overlooked opportunity within the market.

Ms Uppaladinni said: “Businesses often say they are meeting accessibility compliance and that should be enough. But in my view, there has not been enough progress in making brand touchpoints genuinely accessible in this day and age.

“That is the gap Brand Positive Encounters® is here to address. It’s about helping organisations move beyond minimum standards and take an honest look at how their brand is experienced by pan-disabled people in the real world. Accessibility should be seen as a route to better design, clearer communication and more meaningful engagement.”

She explains that her work is grounded in personal experience.

“I have lived this reality since birth. The daily obstacles of trying to participate in a world not built for disabled people, and even trying to buy from the brands we love, can lead to frustration, stress and disillusionment.

“I wanted to roll up my sleeves and make a difference by working with businesses as a strategic partner in accessibility. I do that through a 360-degree approach, focusing on leadership mindset, behavioural change and auditing brand touchpoints.”

Ms Uppaladinni brings a broad range of expertise spanning marketing communications, accessibility, disability advocacy, policy, and consultancy, having worked with organisations including Siemens, DKT International, NHS bodies, Spacial.com, and Oxford College of Marketing, alongside her independent consultancy work.

About Brand Positive Encounters®

Brand Positive Encounters® offers two core services. The first is a brand touchpoint audit, enabling organisations to assess accessibility across customer-facing channels, produce a detailed report and identify practical improvements, often achievable within existing resources.

The second is The Great Escape Blueprint, a presentation and immersive workshop inspired by the real events of ‘WWII The Great Escape’. It focuses on project management, leadership mindset, problem-solving under pressure, adaptability, resilience and teamwork.

For Sangeeta, the two strands are closely connected.

“The Great Escape Blueprint is not separate from accessibility,” she said. “It’s about constraints, problem-solving under pressure, adaptability and resilience. I drew parallels between the barriers faced by the POWS – the great escapers, the obstacles I face through disability, and the challenges businesses face today.”

“What makes Brand Positive Encounters® different is its behavioural, lived-experience approach, looking beyond whether something passes checks to how it actually feels and functions for people. Many organisations focus on compliance. I want businesses to look wider than that.”

The business is aimed primarily at private sector organisations, particularly mid to large corporates, as well as public sector bodies seeking to improve access to services and information for pan-disabled audiences. It is launching nationally, with ambitions to expand internationally.

With Brand Positive Encounters® now live, Sangeeta is urging organisations to stop overlooking an untapped market and start creating accessible brand experiences for the people who want to engage with, and buy from, them.

About Brand Positive Encounters®

Brand Positive Encounters® offers two core services. The first is a brand touchpoint audit, enabling organisations to assess accessibility across customer-facing channels, produce a detailed report and identify practical improvements, often achievable within existing resources.

The second is The Great Escape Blueprint, a presentation and immersive workshop inspired by the real events of ‘WWII The Great Escape’. It focuses on project management, leadership mindset, problem-solving under pressure, adaptability, resilience and teamwork.

For Sangeeta, the two strands are closely connected.

“The Great Escape Blueprint is not separate from accessibility,” she said. “It’s about constraints, problem-solving under pressure, adaptability and resilience. I drew parallels between the barriers faced by the POWS – the great escapers, the obstacles I face through disability, and the challenges businesses face today.”

“What makes Brand Positive Encounters® different is its behavioural, lived-experience approach, looking beyond whether something passes checks to how it actually feels and functions for people. Many organisations focus on compliance. I want businesses to look wider than that.”

The business is aimed primarily at private sector organisations, particularly mid to large corporates, as well as public sector bodies seeking to improve access to services and information for pan-disabled audiences. It is launching nationally, with ambitions to expand internationally.

With Brand Positive Encounters® now live, Sangeeta is urging organisations to stop overlooking an untapped market and start creating accessible brand experiences for the people who want to engage with, and buy from, them.

Taylor Gutter Cleaning and Repairs is advising homeowners and businesses across the UK to stay on top of routine gutter maintenance, as demand for professional cleaning and clearing services continues to grow.

With increased rainfall, falling leaves, and general debris accumulation, blocked gutters are becoming a widespread issue, often resulting in costly property damage if left unresolved. The company, which works with both domestic and commercial clients, says many customers only seek help once problems have already begun.

Focusing on fast and efficient service, Taylor Gutter Cleaning and Repairs uses powerful ground-based vacuum systems to carry out gutter cleaning. This method allows the team to safely clean gutters on properties up to three or four storeys high without the need for ladders or scaffolding.

A spokesperson for the company said: “Most people don’t think about their gutters until there’s water pouring over the side. Regular gutter clearing is a simple job that can prevent much bigger and more expensive issues down the line.”

The company offers a full range of services including gutter cleaning, maintenance and repairs, helping to keep properties protected from water damage all year round. Their approach focuses on removing debris quickly and cleanly, with no mess left behind. 

Experts recommend having gutter cleaning carried out at least twice a year, particularly in spring and autumn, to avoid blockages caused by leaves, moss and general build-up. 

Taylor Gutter Cleaning and Repairs has built a strong reputation for reliability, competitive pricing and prompt service, with customers highlighting the speed and effectiveness of their work.

With more unpredictable weather patterns across the UK, the company expects demand for gutter clearing services to continue rising, especially as property owners become more aware of the risks of neglecting basic maintenance.

James Wilson Gutter Cleaning & Repairs has announced further growth across the UK, as more property owners take steps to protect their buildings through regular maintenance and early intervention.

The company is expanding its coverage in major cities, including Gutter cleaning London, Gutter cleaning Cardiff, and Gutter cleaning Belfast, helping to deliver faster response times and improved access to services for customers nationwide.

With a strong focus on gutter cleaning, repairs, and ongoing upkeep, the company has built a reputation for offering reliable and practical solutions. Its services are designed to prevent common problems such as blocked gutters, damp issues, and potential structural damage.

James Wilson Gutter Cleaning & Repairs provides a full range of services, including cleaning, repairs, and complete replacements, using modern equipment to ensure efficient and thorough results.

A spokesperson for the company said: “We’re seeing more people take gutter maintenance seriously. It’s no longer something left until there’s a problem. Customers want quick, dependable service that helps avoid bigger issues down the line, and that’s exactly what we provide.”

The company operates across the UK, providing services to both residential and commercial properties, with a focus on:

• Gutter cleaning and clearing 
• Gutter repairs and replacements 
• Moss and ivy removal 
• Routine maintenance services 

Regular gutter maintenance is widely recognised as essential for preventing water ingress, damp and long-term structural issues, particularly in areas prone to heavy rainfall.

James Wilson Gutter Cleaning & Repairs has earned a strong reputation for its hands-on approach and commitment to quality service, with tailored solutions for each property. 

The expansion into cities such as London, Cardiff and Belfast reflects increasing demand in both urban and suburban areas, where gutters are more likely to become blocked due to debris, pollution and seasonal weather conditions.

With unpredictable weather patterns continuing across the UK, the company is encouraging property owners to carry out regular inspections and maintenance to avoid expensive repairs later.

Across the UK construction industry, attitudes towards waste and environmental impact are changing rapidly, and reclaimed bricks are among the clearest beneficiaries of that shift. Homeowners, developers and tradespeople are increasingly drawn to materials that tell a story whilst also helping to reduce the burden on landfill and limit the consumption of newly manufactured resources.

Northamptonshire-based Conservation Building Supplies sits at the forefront of this growing movement, bringing more than 40 years of specialist knowledge to the task of sourcing and supplying reclaimed building, roofing and landscaping materials to clients across the length and breadth of the UK.

Whether the brief calls for a seamless restoration of a listed or period building or an outdoor space that blends contemporary design with timeless texture, reclaimed bricks are increasingly the answer for those who see quality and sustainability not as opposing values, but as entirely complementary ones.

Why Reclaimed Bricks Are Back in Demand

Reclaimed bricks are salvaged from demolished or redundant buildings and carefully prepared for reuse. 

Unlike newly manufactured bricks, they offer:

• Proven durability, often lasting well over a century 
• Unique character and variation that new materials simply can’t replicate 
• A lower environmental impact by reducing the need for new production 
• A cost-effective alternative for many building projects 

With growing pressure on the construction industry to cut carbon emissions, reusing existing materials is no longer a niche choice, it’s becoming standard practice.

Supporting Both Heritage and Modern Builds

Conservation Building Supplies provides a wide range of reclaimed bricks suitable for:

• Period property restoration and listed buildings 
• Extensions where matching existing brickwork is critical 
• Garden walls and landscaping features 
• New builds looking to achieve a traditional or characterful finish 

Each brick is sourced, sorted and prepared to ensure it’s ready for immediate use, helping builders avoid delays on site. 

Nationwide Supply with Local Expertise

Operating from their reclamation yard in Staverton, the company offers both collection and nationwide delivery, making it easy for projects across the UK to access high-quality reclaimed materials. 

Customers also have the option to visit the yard and handpick bricks to match their project, a service particularly valued by developers working on heritage properties where consistency matters.

A Practical Step Towards Sustainable Construction

As the construction industry faces increasing scrutiny around sustainability, reclaimed bricks provide a simple, effective solution.

By giving materials a second life, builders can reduce waste, conserve resources and still achieve a high-end finish.

Or put simply, better for the planet, and better-looking walls.

About Conservation Building Supplies

Conservation Building Supplies is a UK-based specialist in reclaimed building materials, with over 40 years of experience in demolition, salvage and supply. The company offers a wide range of reclaimed products including reclaimed bricks, stone, timber and roofing materials, supporting projects of all sizes across the UK.