Skip to main content

The Merchant Hotel

16 Skipper Street, Belfast, BT1 2DZ

View Accessibility Symbols

Accessibility Symbols

For more information about what these symbols mean, view our Accessibility Symbols Guide.

Close this popup window.

Access Guide

Show Easy Read

Location

  • The venue is situated within the centre of the town or city.
  • This venue is situated in Belfast.
  • The venue is not situated on a road which has a steep gradient.
  • The nearest mainline station is Central Station.

Parking

  • The venue does not have its own car park.
  • Public Car Parks View
    • There is a car park for public use within 200m (approx).
    • The name of the car park is Hi-Park Car Park.
    • The car park is located on High Street.
  • On Street Blue Badge Parking View
    • On street marked Blue Badge bays are not available.
  • On Street Standard Parking View
    • Clearly signed and / or standard marked parking bays are available.
    • The dimensions of the standard marked parking bays are 550cm x 250cm (18ft 1in x 8ft 2in).
    • Standard marked parking bays are located on Skipper Street.
  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop off point.
  • Comments View
    • The concierge team will valet park guest cars upon arrival at the Skipper Street entrance.
    • Cars are parked at the Hi-Park car park on the High Street.

Outside Access (Skipper Street Entrance)

  • This information is for the entrance located to the side of the building.
  • There is not level access into the venue.
  • The main doors open automatically.
  • The doors are double width.
  • The door opening is 210cm (6ft 11in) wide.

Level Change (Skipper Street Entrance)

  • There is a ramp or slope to access this service.

Outside Access (Waring Street)

  • There is not level access into the venue.
  • The main doors open by revolving.

Level Change (Waring Street)

  • There is not a ramp or slope to access this service.
  • There are steps to access this area / service.
  • There is / are 15+ step(s) to the area / service.
  • Lighting levels at the steps are bright.
  • The step(s) is/are not clearly marked.
  • The steps are medium.
  • The steps do have handrails.
  • The handrails are on both sides.

Outside Access (Waring Street)

  • There is level access into the venue.
  • The intercom is in a suitable position to allow wheelchair users to gain access.
  • The main doors open automatically.
  • The doors are double width.
  • The door opening is 110cm (3ft 7in) wide.

Reception

  • The reception desk is 8m (26ft 3in) from the side entrance.
  • The desk is 8m (26ft 3in) from the side entrance .
  • There is level access to reception from the entrance.
  • The reception desk is high height.
  • The desk has a lowered section.
  • Lighting levels are medium.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.

Inside Access

  • There is level access to the service(s).
  • This venue does play background music.
  • Music is played in communal areas.
  • Motorised scooters are welcomed in public parts of the venue.
  • The lighting levels are bright.

Restaurant Bar Internal (Cocktail Bar)

  • Once inside, there is level access to the service.
  • Full table service is available.
  • There is ample room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
  • No tables are permanently fixed.
  • No chairs are permanently fixed.
  • Some chairs have armrests.
  • The distance between the floor and the lowest table is 65cm (2ft 2in).
  • Menus are hand held only.
  • Menus are not available in Braille.
  • Menus are not available in large print.
  • Menus are not clearly written.
  • Menus are presented in contrasting colours.

Restaurant Bar Internal (The Great Room)

  • Once inside, there is level access to the service.
  • Full table service is available.
  • There is ample room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
  • No tables are permanently fixed.
  • No chairs are permanently fixed.
  • No chairs have armrests.
  • The distance between the floor and the lowest table is 62cm (2ft).
  • Menus are hand held only.
  • Menus are not available in Braille.
  • Menus are not available in large print.
  • Menus are clearly written.
  • Menus are presented in contrasting colours.
  • The type of food served here is traditional.
  • Comments View
    • There is a raised area accessed by 3 medium clearly marked steps with handrails on both sides.

Other Floors

  • Steps View
    • The floors which are accessible by stairs are G-1-2-3-4-5.
    • There are 15+ steps between floors.
    • The steps are clearly marked.
    • The steps are medium.
    • The steps do have handrails.
    • The steps have a handrail on the left going up.
    • There is a landing.
    • The lighting level is low.

Lift

  • There is a lift for public use.
  • The lift is located to the right as you enter.
  • The lift is a standard lift.
  • The floors which are accessible by this lift are G-1-2-3-4-5-6.
  • The lift is approximately 11m (12yd 1in) from the skipper street entrance.
  • Staff do not need to be notified for use of the lift.
  • The clear door width is 90cm (2ft 11in).
  • The dimensions of the lift are 117cm x 165cm (3ft 10in x 5ft 5in).
  • There are separate entry and exit doors in 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.
  • The lift does not have Braille markings.
  • The lift does have tactile markings.
  • The lighting level in the lift is medium.

Lift

  • There is a lift for public use.
  • The lift is located adjacent to reception.
  • The lift is a standard lift.
  • The floors which are accessible by this lift are G-1-2-3-4-5.
  • The lift is 9m (29ft 6in) from accessible entrance.
  • Staff do not need to be notified for use of the lift.
  • The dimensions of the lift are 120cm x 110cm (3ft 11in x 3ft 7in).
  • The lift does have a visual floor indicator.
  • The lift does have an audible announcer.
  • The lift controls do have Braille markings.
  • The lift controls do have tactile markings.
  • The lighting level in the lift is bright.

Room

  • General Information View
    • The Tourist Board rating is 5 Star.
    • There are 62 rooms in total.
  • Accessible Rooms View
    • There are accessible ensuite facilities.
    • There is / are 4 room(s) which has / have accessible ensuite facilities.
  • Accessible Room View
    • The height of the bed is 74cm.
    • The measurement between the bed base and floor is 7cm (3in).
  • Accessible Ensuite View
    • The door opens outwards.
    • The door is locked by a twist lock.
    • The dimensions of the accessible ensuite are 300cm x 145cm (9ft 10in x 4ft 9in).
    • There is a lateral transfer space.
    • As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on the right.
    • The lateral transfer space is 70cm (2ft 4in).
    • The toilet seat is 45cm (1ft 6in) above floor level.
    • There is a toilet roll holder.
    • The toilet roll holder is not placed higher than 100cm in height.
    • There is a sink.
    • The height of the sink is 80cm (2ft 7in).
    • The tap type is lever.
    • There is a functional emergency alarm available in the ensuite.
    • There are mirrors.
    • Mirrors are placed at a lower level or at an angle for ease of use.
  • Bath and Shower View
    • There is not a bath.
  • Wheel In Shower View
    • There is a wheel in shower.
    • The shower head is fixed.
    • The shower control type is twist/turn.
    • There is no shower seat.
  • Signage, colour contrast and lighting in accessible rooms View
    • The colour contrast between the walls and floor is high.
  • Ground Floor Standard Rooms View
    • There are not standard rooms on the ground floor.
  • Comments View
    • Vibrating pillow alarms are available on request.

Accessible Toilet

  • Accessible toilet facilities are available.
  • Location and Access View
    • There is pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
    • This accessible toilet is approximately 8m (8yd 2ft) from the skipper street entrance.
    • The accessible toilet is located to the right as you enter.
    • There is level access to this accessible toilet.
  • Features and Dimensions View
    • This is a shared toilet.
    • A key is not required for the accessible toilet.
    • The door opens outwards.
    • The door is locked by a twist lock.
    • The width of the accessible toilet door is 86cm (2ft 10in).
    • The door is heavy.
    • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 180cm x 220cm (5ft 11in x 7ft 3in).
    • There is sufficient turning space in the cubicle for a wheelchair user.
    • There is a lateral transfer space.
    • As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on the right.
    • The lateral transfer space is 110cm (3ft 7in).
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • There is a flush on the transfer side.
    • The tap type is lever.
    • There is a mixer tap.
    • The emergency pull cord alarm is fully functional.
    • Disposal facilities are available in the cubicle.
    • There is not a/are not coat hook(s).
  • Position of Fixtures View
    • Wall mounted grab rails are available for the toilet.
    • As you face the toilet the wall-mounted grab rails are on both sides.
    • There is not a shelf within the accessible toilet.
    • There is a mirror.
    • The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 43cm (1ft 5in).
    • 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 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 cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is placed higher than 74cm (2ft 5in).
    • The height of the wash basin is 78cm (2ft 7in).
  • Colour Contrast and Lighting View
    • The contrast between the external door and wall is good.
    • There is a high colour contrast between the internal door and wall.
    • The contrast between the wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is poor.
    • There is a poor colour contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall.
    • The contrast between the walls and floor is fair.
    • The lighting levels are medium.
  • Baby Change Facilities View
    • Baby change facilities are located within the venue.

Additional Info

  • Staff do receive disability awareness / equality training.
  • Documents can be requested in Braille.
  • Documents are available in large print.
  • A bowl of water can be provided for an assistance dog.
  • A member of staff trained in BSL skills is not normally on duty.