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The Hive

43-47 Vittoria St, Birmingham, B1 3PE

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Access Guide

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Overview

  • About View
    • The Hive is a multi-use industrial venue with a gallery, award-winning organic vegetarian cafe and bakery, craft studio and heritage lounge.
    • Facilities available in the venue include: rooms to hire, cafe, gallery & workshop space and display areas.
    • View information on opening times.
  • Parking and Public Transport View
  • Getting In and Around View
    • There is step-free level access at the most accessible entrance.
    • The most accessible entrance is the Regent Place entrance.
    • There is stepped access at the main entrance.
    • There is step-free level access throughout the majority of areas.
    • The following areas have stepped access: the main entrance.
    • There are manual doors along circulation routes.
    • The ground floor and cafe level can be accessed via a platform lift.
    • The platform lift was out of action of the day of survey.
  • Getting Help and Assistance View
    • Seating is available.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system.
    • There is a water bowl available for assistance dogs.
    • There is not a designated assistance dog spending area.
    • Staff receive the following training: Autism Awareness, Safeguarding, First Aid, Fire Safety and Inclusivity & Diversity Training.

Toilet and Changing Facilities

  • Toilet Facilities View
    • There is 1 toilet with adaptations.
    • The toilet with adaptations is located through the doors, on the far left hand side of the cafe.
    • The toilet with adaptations has a left hand transfer space.
    • Gender neutral step-free standard toilet facilities are located through the doors, on the far left hand side of the cafe.
  • Changing Facilities View
    • Parent and baby changing facilities are located within the standard toilets.

Accessible Entrance - By Prior Request Only

  • This entrance is located to the left hand side of the building, on Regent Place.
  • The entrance area is not clearly signed.
  • There is not a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at the entrance.
  • There is step-free level access at the entrance.
  • There is a bell at a height of 130cm.
  • There are double manual doors.
  • The doors open away from you.
  • The doors are easy to open.
  • The width of the opening is 110cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
  • The doors have a low colour contrast.
  • There is a second, single manual door.
  • The door opens towards you.
  • The door requires effort to open.
  • The width of the opening is 92cm.
  • The door has a high colour contrast.
  • Advance notice should be given for anyone wishing to use these doors to access the cafe. Assistance will be given with the doors at this entrance.

Main Entrance

  • This entrance is located at the front of the building.
  • The entrance area is clearly signed.
  • There is not a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at the entrance.
  • There is step-free level access at the entrance.
  • There is a single manual door.
  • The door opens away from you.
  • The door requires effort to open.
  • The width of the opening is 82cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
  • The door has a high colour contrast.

Platform Lift

  • The lift surveyed is located immediately to the right, upon entering The Hive.
  • The distance from the main entrance is 1m.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access.
  • There are no doors to open along the most accessible route.
  • This lift is a platform lift.
  • Platform Lift View
    • The ground floor and cafe level can be accessed by this lift.
    • The lift has a level manoeuvring space in front of it for a wheelchair user (150cm x 150cm).
    • The internal dimensions of the lift are 93cm (width) x 140cm (depth).
    • The internal lift control buttons have tactile markings.
    • The control buttons have a low colour contrast.
    • All of the internal lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
    • The button needs to be pressed constantly when in use.
    • The lift is slow moving.
    • The platform lift was out of order on the date of survey (17/02/2026).

Getting Around

  • Access View
    • There is step-free level access throughout the majority of areas.
    • The following areas have stepped access: the cafe level, from the main entrance.
  • Circulation View
    • There are manual doors along circulation routes.
    • The contrast between the walls and floor varies between low and high along circulation routes.
    • Some flooring is shiny and patterned.
    • There is background noise in some areas of the venue.
    • Wayfinding signage is not provided.
    • Seating available in the walkways includes: chairs without armrests and benches.
    • Lighting levels vary due to the size of the space.

The Cafe

  • Location and Access View
    • The cafe is located immediately at the top of the stairs, from the main entrance.
    • The most accessible route has step-free level access.
    • There are no doors to open along the most accessible route.
    • There is step-free level access into this area.
    • There is open plan access.
    • This area has a counter where food and drink can be ordered.
  • Order and Payment View
    • The service counter was surveyed.
    • The counter is located ahead as you enter the cafe area.
    • There is step-free level access to the counter.
    • The height of the counter is 100cm.
    • There is not a lowered section at the counter.
    • The counter has patterned/distracting backgrounds which may affect the ability of someone to lip read.
    • The payment machine is portable.
  • Service View
    • This area also has staff who can provide assistance with ordering.
    • Full table service is available on request only.
    • Menus types include: handheld.
    • The following dietary requirements can be catered for: dairy free, lactose free, nut allergy, vegetarian and vegan.
    • The following are available: drinking straws and takeaway cups.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • Seating Area View
    • There is step-free level access throughout the seating area.
    • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre in the seating area (150cm x 150cm).
    • There is space for an assistance dog to rest in the seating area.
    • The walls and floor colour contrast varies between low and high.
    • Some flooring is shiny and patterned.
    • Seating available in this area includes: chairs without armrests.
    • Furniture available in this area includes: tables.
    • The surface height of the tables is suitable for wheelchair users.
    • The clear height under the tables is suitable for wheelchair users.
    • There is background noise in this area.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey, with unshaded light sources.

Exhibition Space

  • The area is indoors.
  • There is step-free level access throughout all areas.
  • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
  • Some flooring is shiny and patterned.
  • The walls and floor colour contrast varies between low and high.
  • There may be background noise in this area.
  • Lighting levels were uneven at the time of the survey, with pools of light and shade and unshaded light sources.
  • Display information includes: information boards and televisions/screens.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • Seating available in this area includes: chairs without armrests and benches.
  • Furniture available in this area includes: coffee tables.

Toilet with Adaptations (Left Hand Transfer)

  • Location View
    • The toilet surveyed is located through the doors, to the far left hand side of the cafe.
    • The distance from the platform lift is 15m.
  • Route View
    • The most accessible route to the toilet has step-free level access.
    • Doors are held open along the most accessible route.
  • Access View
    • There is step-free level access into the facility.
    • There is pictorial signage on or near the door.
    • The door opens inwards and has a high colour contrast.
    • The door is easy to open.
    • The width of the opening is 82cm.
    • The door has a twist lock.
    • Internally the door has a low colour contrast.
    • There is a grab rail on the internal door with a low colour contrast.
  • Dimensions and Features View
    • The dimensions of the cubicle are 211cm (width) x 215cm (depth).
    • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
    • There is a lateral transfer space to the left as you face the toilet.
    • The lateral transfer space is 146cm (from the side of the toilet pan).
    • There is a push button flush for the toilet.
    • The flush is on top of the cistern.
    • There is a horizontal grab rail on the non-transfer side.
    • The horizontal grab rail has a low colour contrast.
    • There is no vertical grab rail for the toilet.
    • There is a dropdown grab rail on the transfer side.
    • The dropdown grab rail has a low colour contrast.
    • The toilet seat is 45cm from the floor.
    • The toilet seat has a low colour contrast.
    • The toilet roll holder can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The toilet roll holder has a high colour contrast.
    • The toilet roll holder is 113cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin has a lever mixer tap.
    • The wash basin and tap can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is 72cm from the floor.
    • There are vertical grab rails on both sides of the wash basin.
    • The wash basin grab rails have a low colour contrast.
    • There is a wash basin mounted soap dispenser.
    • There is a wall mounted towel dispenser.
    • The towel dispenser cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The towel dispenser has a high colour contrast.
    • The towel dispenser is 123cm from the floor.
    • There is not a hand dryer.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm within 10cm from the floor.
    • There is a mirror.
    • There is no shelf.
    • The cubicle has a waste bin and a sanitary bin.
    • There are no coat hooks.
    • The walls and floor have a high colour contrast.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey, with unshaded light sources.
    • There is a ceiling hoist in the toilet with adaptations.

Maker's Studio

  • The room is located to the rear of the exhibition area.
  • The distance from the cafe is 20m.
  • The most accessible route to the room has step-free level access.
  • There are manual doors along the most accessible route.
  • There is written text signage on or near the door.
  • There is step-free level access into the room.
  • There is a single manual door.
  • The door opens away from you.
  • The door is easy to open.
  • The width of the opening is 89cm.
  • The door has a medium colour contrast.
  • There is step-free level access throughout.
  • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
  • There is space for an assistance dog to rest.
  • Some flooring is shiny and patterned.
  • The walls and floor have a high colour contrast.
  • Seating available in this room includes: chairs without armrests and stools.
  • Furniture available in this room includes: tables.
  • The surface height of the tables/desks is suitable for wheelchair users.
  • The clear height under the tables/desks is suitable for wheelchair users.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • Additional facilities/services include: a flashing fire alarm and a wash basin.
  • There is background noise in this room which varies depending on the function/event.
  • Announcements are in person.
  • Lighting levels were uneven at the time of the survey, with pools of light and shade and unshaded light sources.
  • Lighting levels are adjustable.

Heritage Lounge

  • Location and Access View
    • The Heritage Lounge is located to the far left hand side of the cafe.
    • The most accessible route has step-free level access.
    • There are no doors to open along the most accessible route.
    • There is step-free level access to this area.
    • There is an opening without doors.
    • The width of the opening is 150cm.
  • Seating Area View
    • There is step-free level access throughout the seating area.
    • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre in the seating area (150cm x 150cm).
    • There is space for an assistance dog to rest in the seating area.
    • The walls and floor have a high colour contrast.
    • Some flooring is shiny.
    • Seating available in this area includes: chairs with armrests and chairs without armrests.
    • Furniture available in this area includes: tables.
    • The surface height of the tables/desks is suitable for wheelchair users.
    • The clear height under the tables/desks is suitable for wheelchair users.
    • There may be background noise in this area.
    • Lighting levels were uneven at the time of the survey, with pools of light and shade and unshaded light sources.