How child-friendly are Ashtead's shops and facilities? Harvest visited the shops to investigate access, attitudes of staff and facilities for children.

There are few shops in Ashtead you cannot get into with a pram or push-chair with reasonable ease. Only two shops have doorways too narrow for a double buggy, though a number have stiff doors, awkward angles, large steps or a double set of doors that require super strength or dexterity to manoeuvre a pram around.

Most parents we asked said that such difficulties could put them off using a particular shop, but that helpful staff can make all the difference. Otherwise, it's up to the resourcefulness of the parent. One mother we spoke with has trained her older child to push doors open with her feet when sitting with her sister in their double buggy.

Access is also a problem for people with other mobility problems, perhaps having a disability or being older.

The lack of options in The Street or Craddocks Parade to change or feed a baby also concerned some mothers - especially those who walk some distance to shop. There is nowhere in The Street to change a baby's nappy. However, Manager of the newly-opened 'The Kettle Sings' tea rooms in The Street, Peter Farquharson Caird, is hoping to provide a changing station after talking with our reporter! In Craddocks Parade, the St Stephen's Surgery is nearby, and the Woodfield Road Clinic lies in between the two centres.

The Woodman pub and 'The Kettle Sings' are potential places to feed your baby/child, with high-chairs available.

Local mother of two, Mrs Edmonds, was caught short recently while shopping in The Street when her youngest daughter needed breast-feeding. She was grateful to the staff of the Leg of Mutton and Cauliflower who brought her a coffee in a peaceful corner of the pub.

On another front, Milner Carpets and the Abbey National provide toys to help young children entertain themselves.

The costs and logistics of adapting smaller shops are prohibitive, but a number of shop-keepers we spoke to are planning re-fits. So a special plea to these shops must be: please bear in mind all your customers and make the most of the opportunity that re-fitting presents.

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