Every Little Helps as Tesco sponsor new disabled facility at East End Park.

A brand new facility to allow ambulant disabled fans access to East End Park stadium was launched this week.

The move is part of our club’s campaign to make the ground among the most accessible and wheelchair friendly in the UK.

The partnership project with Tesco and the Tesco Dunfermline Fire Station superstore, has involved creating an accessible seating section in two of the four stands for home and away supporters. It caters for blind, partially sighted (with guide dogs) and ambulant disabled supporters ,and, in addition, transforming existing toilet facilities for ambulant disabled needs in both the West and East stands by installing closing bars ,support rails and grab rails whilst providing bigger cubicles.

It is the latest part of our club’s ambitious community strategy placing it right at the heart of the West Fife community and making it the market leader in Scottish Football for the provision of facilities for disabled supporter’s .By doing so, they hope to drive up the standards at every club in Scotland.

Tesco Dunfermline Fire Station store manager Richard Moir and Tesco Head of Communications, Scotland, Tony McElroy joined DAFC Managing Director Ross McArthur, and Mark Jones, Director KDM Shopfitters this week, along with Ishbel Russell, DAFC’s Disability Champion to cut a ribbon to declare the new facility officially open.

Store Manager, Richard said:
“We are delighted that at long last the facility is available to fans .I have been closely involved in the process right from the start and it is a key part of our ambitions to play a meaningful role in the local Dunfermline community which we are here to serve.”

Tesco Corporate Affairs Manager for Scotland, Tony McElroy, who attended the launch, said:
We are delighted to have been able to assist the club with the provision of this important new development offering instant benefits to ambulant disabled fans to allow them to enjoy the games here in comfort. Football can enrich everyone lives and there should be no barriers at all to enjoying football.”

For the club, DAFC Managing Director, Ross McArthur, said: “
We want to become a beacon of excellence for other clubs in the country and this alliance with Tesco will act as a springboard to achieving that aim. It has been a very real partnership and a chance for us all to work together for the good of the West Fife community – and not just the footballing community because our social engagement strategy covers all sections of society helping to build grassroots support and giving us the opportunity to educate a whole new generation of young people. I would also like to thank Iain Jones, Managing Director of KDM Shopfitters for his help and assistance in getting this project off the ground.”

The 52,000 sq. ft Tesco Dunfermline store, which opened last autumn, offers shoppers a wide variety of household grocery items in addition to fresh food counters which include a choice of meats, sustainably sourced fish and a pizzeria.

As well as the fresh produce, there is a stylish F&F clothing department, Phone Shop and Decks restaurant offering a delicious carvery service at lunch and in the evening plus a wide range of sandwiches, cakes and salads.

The Tesco Dunfermline Fire Station superstore is open Mon-Sat from 6am to midnight and 8-10 on a Sunday.