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Equestrian Centre / Aintree Pavilion

Aintree Racecourse, Ormskirk Road, Aintree, Liverpool, L9 5AS

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Access Guide

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Getting Here

  • By Road View
    • From the south, leave M6 at J21A and join M62 west. Leave M62 at J6 to join M57, follow signs for races. From North Leave M6 at J26 and join M58, follow signs for races. From Mersey Tunnels follow signs for Preston, then for A59, then signs for races. The main entrance to the racecourse via Grand National Avenue is just off Ormskirk Road (A59). Please use this entrance for conference and events. For Sat Nav users, please enter the postcode L9 5AS.
    • There is parking for up to 1,800 cars. Car parking is available for free at Aintree on non Grand National meetings. For the Randox Health Grand National Festival car parking is limited and must be purchased in advance. To enquire or make a booking, call the Booking Line on 0344 579 3001. Parking needs to be pre-booked and is not available for purchase on the day.
  • By Bus View
  • By Train View
    • The nearest Railway Station is Aintree.
    • The easiest way to reach Aintree is by train. The nearest mainline station to Aintree is Liverpool Lime Street. Liverpool Central Station is just a short walk from Lime Street, where you can catch a train to Aintree. Aintree Station is directly opposite the racecourse, where regular trains run every 15 minutes on racedays (more frequently during The Randox Health Grand National Festival).
    • For more information on National Rail please click here (opens new tab).

Raceday Parking

Getting Help and Assistance

Outside Access (Main Entrance)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located at the side of the building.
    • The entrance area/door is clearly signed.
    • There is step-free access at this entrance.
    • There is not a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at this entrance.
    • The entrance door(s) does/do contrast visually with its immediate surroundings.
    • The main door(s) open(s) automatically (towards you).
    • The door(s) is/are double width.
    • The width of the door opening is 160cm.
  • Comments View
    • There is step free access to the entrance from the path leading from the Blue Badge parking bays located at the front of the centre.
    • This path overcomes the 4 steps with handrails which are located in front of the entrance.
    • There are blocks of manual doors located either sides of the building.

Getting Around (Equestrian Centre)

  • Access View
    • There is step-free access throughout the building.
  • Circulation View
    • The type of flooring in corridors/walkways is vinyl.
    • There is some flooring in corridors/walkways which is shiny and could cause issues with glare or look slippery to some people.
    • The lighting levels are good.
  • Signage View
    • Wayfinding signage is provided.
    • The colour, design and typeface of signs is consistent throughout the building.
  • Audio View
    • There is not a hearing assistance system in the public areas of the building.

Equestrian Centre

  • The riding hall is located ahead as you enter.
  • There is step free access to the Riding Hall.
  • There can be chairs located along the edge of the Riding Hall.
  • There is temporary seating stands available, with 1 step up onto the seating then 1 to 8 steps from the front to the rear rows of the seating.
  • The layout may vary depending on the events taking places.

Other Floors

  • Stairs View
    • Stairs can be used to access other floors.
    • The stairs are located at the rear of the Riding Hall.
    • The stairs are clearly visible from the entrance.
    • The floors which are accessible by stairs are G,1.
    • There are 15+ steps between floors.
    • The height of the step(s) is/are between the recommended 15cm and 18cm.
    • The height of the step(s) is/are 15cm.
    • The going of the step(s) is/are not between the recommended 30cm and 45cm.
    • The steps are clearly marked.
    • There is a/are handrail(s) at the step(s).
    • The steps have a handrail on both sides.
    • Handrails are at the recommended height (90cm-100cm).
    • Handrails do cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
    • Handrails are easy to grip.
    • There is a landing.
    • Clear signs indicating the facilities on each floor are not provided on landings.
    • The lighting levels at the steps are good.

Lift

  • There is a lift for public use.
  • The lift is located at the rear of the Riding Hall.
  • The lift is a platform lift.
  • A member of staff does not need to be notified for use of the lift.
  • The floors which are accessible by this lift are G,1.
  • There are manual, single doors which are easy to open to access the lift lobby on all floors.
  • Clear signs indicating the facilities on each floor are not provided on lift lobby landings.
  • There is a clear level manoeuvring space of 150cm × 150cm in front of the lift.
  • Lift doors do not contrast visually with lift lobby walls.
  • Lighting levels are not at least 100 lux at floor level in the lift lobby.
  • The external controls for the lift are within 90cm - 110cm from the floor.
  • The colour contrast between the external lift controls and the control plate is good.
  • The colour contrast between the external lift control plate and the wall is good.
  • The clear door width is 90cm (2ft 11in).
  • The dimensions of the lift are 110cm x 150cm (3ft 7in x 4ft 11in).
  • There are no separate entry and exit doors in the lift.
  • There is not a mirror to aid reversing out of the lift.
  • There is not a list of floor services available within the lift.
  • The lift does have a visual floor indicator.
  • The lift does have an audible announcer.
  • The controls for the lift are within 90cm - 120cm from the floor.
  • There is not a hearing loop system.
  • The lift does have Braille markings.
  • The lift does have tactile markings.
  • The lighting levels in the lift are good.

Eating and Drinking (Topham)

  • The following information is for the bar.
  • The bar is located straight ahead after the lift.
  • There is step-free access, via lift, to the bar.
  • There is a/are single, light manual door(s) to access this area.
  • Full table service is not available.
  • Food and/or drinks are ordered from the service counter.
  • Food and/or drinks can be brought to the table.
  • The height of the service counter is medium height (77cm - 109cm) .
  • There is not a lowered section of the counter.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system .
  • Staff are trained to use the system.
  • There is step-free access within the bar.
  • There is ample room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
  • Background music varies according to the function/event.
  • The type of flooring in this area is vinyl.
  • No tables are permanently fixed.
  • No chairs are permanently fixed.
  • No chairs have armrests on both sides.
  • The nearest table is approximately 1m from the entrance/opening.
  • The nearest table is approximately 1m from the till/counter.
  • The distance between the floor and the lowest table is 74cm.
  • The distance between the floor and the highest table is 110cm.
  • Plastic/takeaway cups are available.
  • Plastic/takeaway cutlery is available.
  • Drinking straws are available.
  • Children are welcomed in the bar area.
  • There are wall menus available.
  • Menus are not available in Braille.
  • Menus are not available in large print.
  • Picture menus are not available.
  • Menus are clearly written.
  • Menus are presented in contrasting colours.
  • The type of food served here is hot and cold meals and snacks.
  • The lighting levels are good.

Accessible Toilet(s)

  • There is an/are accessible toilet(s) for public use.
  • Location and Access View
    • The accessible toilet surveyed is not for the sole use of disabled people.
    • This accessible toilet is located at the rear of the Riding Hall.
    • There is step-free access into the accessible toilet, via lift.
  • Features and Dimensions View
    • This is a shared toilet.
    • A key is not required for the accessible toilet.
    • There is pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
    • The door opens outwards.
    • The door is heavy.
    • The door is locked by a sliding bolt.
    • The width of the accessible toilet door is 86cm.
    • The door has a horizontal grab rail.
    • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 189cm x 300cm (6ft 2in x 9ft 10in).
    • The accessible toilet does have an unobstructed minimum turning space of 150cm x 150cm.
    • The toilet has a non-slip floor.
    • There is a lateral transfer space.
    • As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on the right.
    • The lateral transfer space is 105cm.
    • There is a flush, however it is not on the transfer side.
    • There is a spatula type lever flush.
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • There is an emergency alarm.
    • The emergency pull cord alarm is not fully functional.
    • The emergency pull cord alarm was out of reach (higher than 10cm (4") from floor) when surveyed.
    • There is not a flashing fire alarm beacon within the toilet.
    • Disposal facilities are available in the toilet.
    • There is a/are female sanitary and non-infectious waste disposal units.
    • There is a/are coat hook(s).
    • The height of the coat hook is 150cm from the floor.
  • Position of Fixtures View
    • There is a/are wall-mounted grab rail(s) available.
    • As you face the toilet the wall-mounted grab rail(s) is/are on both sides.
    • There is a vertical wall-mounted grab rail on the transfer side.
    • There is a horizontal wall-mounted grab rail on the opposite side of the seat to the transfer space.
    • There is a mirror.
    • The mirror is not placed at a lower level or at an angle for ease of use.
    • There is a shelf next to the toilet.
    • The shelf is not between 90cm and 100cm.
    • The toilet has a lid.
    • The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 48cm (1ft 7in).
    • There is a toilet roll holder.
    • The toilet roll holder can be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The toilet roll holder is not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • There is a wash basin.
    • The wash basin can be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is not placed higher than 74cm (2ft 5in).
    • There are vertical wall-mounted grab rails on both sides of the wash basin.
    • The wash basin tap type is lever.
    • There is a mixer tap.
    • Taps have clear markings to indicate hot and cold settings.
    • There is a soap dispenser.
    • The soap dispenser can be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The height of the soap dispenser is 105cm.
    • There is a towel dispenser.
    • The towel dispenser cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The towel dispenser is not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • There is a hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The hand dryer is placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • The height of the hand dryer is 110cm (3ft 7in).
  • Colour Contrast and Lighting View
    • The contrast between the external door and wall is good.
    • The contrast between the internal door and wall is good.
    • The contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall is good.
    • The contrast between the wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is good.
    • The toilet seat colour contrast is poor.
    • The contrast between the walls and floor is good.
    • The lighting levels are good.
  • Baby Changing Facilities View
    • Baby changing facilities are located within the accessible toilet.
    • The baby change table is not set against the wall, permanently fixed at 75cm from the floor.
    • The baby change table is not height adjustable.
    • The height of the baby change table once extended is 92cm (3ft).

Standard Toilet(s)

  • Standard toilet facilities are available.
  • Access to Standard Female and Male Toilet(s) View
    • The female and male toilet facilities that were surveyed are located at the rear of the Riding Hall.
    • There is step-free access into the female and male toilet(s).
    • There is pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
    • An ambulant toilet with wall-mounted grab rails is not available.
    • The wash basin(s) tap type is lever.
    • There is not a flashing fire alarm beacon within the toilets.
    • Lighting levels are good.

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