Take a Seat Case Study - Nottingham

What is Take a Seat? 

Take a Seat initiatives tackle a wide range of issues from accessibility to social connection and health – one seat at a time. Currently, there are over 20 Take a Seat initiatives in place across the UK. This case study explores how Nottingham has approached their Take a Seat initiative to encourage local businesses and community spaces to provide seating options for older people when they’re out and about; opening up the city to everyone.

The need

As the Age-friendly Communities Handbook notes, a lack of public seating can prevent many people – including older people and those with disabilities or mobility and respiratory issues - from getting out and about in their community. This, in turn, limits access to essential services, reduces opportunities be active, independent and socially connected – factors that are critical for good health and wellbeing. Installing benches in public spaces is a good solution, but it can be costly and come with additional challenges for local authorities. 

Meanwhile, local businesses and community organisations often have space and seating available, yet many do not realise the important role they can play in making their community more accessible. In some areas, seating exists but is unsuitable or people are unaware it is available for public use.

The solution 

Inspired by Manchester’s successful campaign, Nottingham embraced Take a Seat as an opportunity to help older people stay active and connected within their communities, while also raising awareness of age-friendly principles and the needs of older residents. Led by Nottingham City Council’s Public Health team and supported by partners from the Age-friendly Steering Group, the campaign was designed to be simple, low-cost, and easy for local businesses to adopt. 

Nottingham City Council supplied posters for businesses and promoted participation through local media and the council website, ensuring visibility and community engagement. To drive uptake, ward councillors played an important role, particularly Nottingham’s Champion for Older People, who encouraged businesses to join the scheme to make a difference in their community.

The benefits

There are over 60 premises offering a seat across Nottingham’s Take a Seat initiative. Local signatories include charity shops, cafés, libraries, and theatres. The initiative has delivered a range of benefits for older customers, local businesses, and the wider community, while strengthening partnerships across Nottingham’s Age-friendly network. 

Benefits for older people

Take a Seat initiatives go further than simply installing benches: by partnering with local businesses to offer seating inside shops and venues, it signals that older people are valued, and their needs are understood. This sense of being welcomed and supported encourages confidence to get out, especially for those with mobility challenges, and helps to build social connections. As one Nottingham resident shared:

Benefits for businesses

For businesses, Take a Seat is a simple, low-cost way to create an accessible, inviting atmosphere that encourages customers to stay longer and return more often. As highlighted in the Age-friendly Business Framework, the design and placement of seating can significantly influence customer experience. Participating businesses also showcase their community values, creating spaces where people feel valued and connected. 

As Councillor Linda Woodings, Nottingham City Council’s Champion for Older People, explains: “[Take a Seat] is just as important for people’s health and wellbeing as it is for the health and wellbeing of our high streets.”

Benefits for the wider community

Take a Seat raises awareness of how inaccessible environments can exclude older people and encourages collective action to address these challenges. By creating spaces that meet everyone’s needs, the initiative fosters cross-community and intergenerational interaction, giving residents and businesses a sense of ownership and pride in shaping a more inclusive city. 

As Leon Bambury, Manager of Hope Charity Shop in the Sherwood district of Nottingham, explains: “When people come in, they take a seat and you get to know them – they become a familiar face to you, to other people who use the shop and then to the wider community. People do get to know each other better.” 

By promoting active travel and reducing barriers to participation, the initiative raises awareness of older people’s needs and reinforces Nottingham’s commitment to being an Age-friendly City.