Leeds ranked one of the top 10 most accessible cities in the UK - full list of areas rated wheelchair friendly

A new study, conducted by leading mobility solutions provider Muick Sandy, surveyed 2,000 UK residents and highlighted the real-life impact of poor accessibility, with 63 per cent believing the UK is failing people with mobility needs.

But not when it comes to Leeds, according to the research.

The city was considered the tenth best city in the country for accessibility needs, with 72 per cent of residents citing the ease of mobility across bars, restaurants, and High Street shops, compared to what those polled considered the least accessible area in the country - Edinburgh.

With 35 per cent of those surveyed stating that they felt the Scottish capital was access-friendly for those with mobility issues, it means that a third of residents in the city cited the lack of options for those who use wheelchairs or mobility scooters - the highest figure recorded anywhere in the UK.

Northern cities such as Bradford, Manchester and Liverpool also ranked highly amongst the most access-friendly areas in the UK, with Bath the clear winner in the study, with 91 per cent of those asked stating that the South West town is incredibly accessible, providing ample means for those to socialise and shop.

However, the overwhelming consensus of the study shed light on what many think ‘needs’ to change to make areas more accessible.

The Infrastructure Barrier

According to the findings, the discrepancy between modern standards and reality is stark.

While UK building regulations (Part M) recommend a clear opening of at least 77.5cm to accommodate mobility aids, experts warn that the UK’s historic architecture often fails this basic test.

The research identified the three ‘pressure points’ where accessibility falls short:

• High street shops (39%)
• Pubs and bars (39%)
• Restaurants and cafes (35%)

It led to 50 per cent of UK respondents admitting they would expect to miss out on social events entirely if they were to use a wheelchair or mobility scooter.

Under the Equality Act 2010, businesses have a legal obligation to make ‘reasonable adjustments’ - such as installing ramps or altering physical layouts - to ensure disabled patrons are not "substantially disadvantaged."

Ben Kenny, Director at Muick Sandy, emphasised that this is a matter of dignity rather than just logistics: "It is simply not acceptable that in 2026, people are still being excluded from everyday life because of poor accessibility.

Our research shows that for many, something as simple as meeting friends or visiting the high street can become a major obstacle. Everyone deserves the ability to live independently."

The Top 10 Most Accessible Cities in the UK

1. Bath
2. Oxford
3. Liverpool
4. Belfast
5. Manchester
6. Portsmouth
7. Bradford
8. Bournemouth
9. Brighton & Hove
10. Leeds

The 10 Least Accessible Cities & Regions

1. Edinburgh
2. Cornwall (Region)
3. Isle of Wight (Region)
4. Jersey
5. Blackpool
6. Yorkshire Dales (Region)
7. Lake District (Region)
8. Stoke-on-Trent
9. Sky Garden / Central London Hubs
10. Old Town Areas (General)