NEW laws requiring businesses to make their premises more easily accessible for disabled people came into force on Friday.

Under the Disability Discrimination Act 1995, every business that allows the public to step inside its doors must be more user-friendly to disabled customers and visitors. Only firms involved in manufacturing are exempt from the new rules.

A survey by the Disability Rights Commission has suggested that disabled people get a second class service and encounter major problems on four out of five of Britain's largest high streets.

But a South Lakeland firm of architects and surveyors says local businesses do not need to panic as often simple, inexpensive measures will ensure that they comply with the new law.

Derek Hicks & Thew managing director Alan Varley said there had been some misinformation spread about the likely impact of the new legislation.

Businesses operating from new premises should not be affected by the legislation because their buildings should have been designed to meet the new requirements. But firms and shops trading from premises that, for example, had flights of steps should not have to install a lift or carry out other expensive improvements, said Mr Varley.

Derek Hicks & Thew, based at Sand Aire House, Kendal, has recruited Alun Brown, a qualified building surveyor who previously worked for South Lakeland and Eden district councils, raising awareness of the impending legislation.

Mr Brown said a disability could include a visual or hearing impairment as well as someone with mobility problems. So as well as adapting the physical aspects of their premises, such as access and toilets for disabled people, some businesses would also have to consider providing large print information.

Businesses based on upper floors, for example, could consider renting a ground floor office as a meeting room, or even arranging home visits for disabled clients, he said.

Mr Brown is now busy carrying out access audits of premises, and said accommo-dation providers, places of worship and community centres had been among the first to respond to the law while, in his expererience, pubs, restaurants and other retailers tended to be less aware of the new requirements.