Access Guide
Introduction
- City Hall (formerly The Council House) is a great venue for conferences, meetings and events. We also have several rooms which are licensed for weddings and civil partnerships.
- We're in the centre of Bristol, facing College Green and opposite the beautiful Bristol cathedral.
- There are regular bus routes that stop outside, and we're a 15 minute walk from Temple Meads station.
- The venue includes the council chamber, a conference hall, toilet facilities and meeting rooms which are open to the public. A staff restaurant area is available which may be used by accompanied visitors only. All other parts of the building, including the stairwells and lifts, are for staff access only.
Location
- There is a bus stop within 150m (164yds) of the venue.
- The nearest National Rail station is Bristol Temple Meads.
Opening Times
- Opening times for the venue vary according to bookings/events taking place.
Parking (Staff/Blue Badge Parking)
- The venue does have its own car park.
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Venue Car Park
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- Parking is free for Blue Badge holders.
- The car park is located at the rear of the building, opposite College Street Car Park.
- The car park type is open air/surface.
- Parking spaces for Blue Badge holders can booked in advance.
- There is/are 9 Blue Badge parking bay(s) within the car park.
- The dimensions of the Blue Badge parking bay(s) are 500cm x 600cm (16ft 5in x 19ft 8in).
- The nearest Blue Badge bay is 25m (27yd 1ft) from the staff entrance.
- The furthest Blue Badge bay is 52m (56yd 2ft) from the staff entrance.
- The route from the car park to the entrance is accessible to a wheelchair user unaided.
- The car park surface is tarmac.
- There is not a road to cross between the car park and the entrance.
- The car park does not have a height restriction barrier.
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Comments
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- All parking is now at the rear of City Hall.
- Blue Badge parking is available by pre-booking only.
- Parking for Blue Badge holders is free of charge.
Parking (Public Car Parks)
- There are public pay and display car parks at the back of City Hall facing the rear entrance.
- Frog Lane Car Park is a small open air car park with no designated Blue Badge bays but all the bays are generous size (photographs 1-3).
- College Street Car Park has two parts, a large open air car park and a smaller under cover section which includes electric vehicle charging points.
- The under cover section has a height restriction of 2.1m.
- There are 4 Blue Badge Bays in the outside section nearest to City Hall and a Zebra Crossing with dropped kerbs.
- The nearest Blue Badge Bay is 40m from the rear entrance (photographs 4-9).
- There are an additional 8 on-street standard bays with a parking meter on College Street (photograph 10).
Outside Access (Main Entrance)
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Entrance
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- This information is for the entrance located at the front of the building.
- There is ramped/sloped access at this entrance.
- The main door(s) open(s) automatically (towards you).
- The door(s) is/are double width.
- The width of the door opening is 182cm.
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Ramp/Slope
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- The ramp/slope is located either side of the entrance.
- The gradient of the ramp/slope is slight.
- The ramp/slope is permanent.
- There is a level landing at the top of the ramp/slope.
- There is not a/are not handrail(s) at the ramp.
Outside Access (Car Park Entrance)
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Entrance
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- This information is for the entrance located at the rear of the building, off College Street.
- There is ramped/sloped access at this entrance.
- There is a bell/buzzer.
- The height of the bell/buzzer is 153cm (5ft).
- There is not an intercom.
- The main door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
- The door(s) is/are double width.
- The width of the door opening is 146cm.
- There is a small lip on the threshold of the entrance, with a height of 2cm or below.
- There is a second set of doors.
- The door(s) open(s) automatically (towards you).
- The door(s) is/are double width.
- The width of the door opening is 130cm.
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Ramp/Slope
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- The ramp/slope is located in front of the entrance.
- The gradient of the ramp/slope is slight.
- The ramp/slope is permanent.
- There is not a level landing at the top of the ramp/slope.
Reception
- The desk/counter is 1m (3ft 3in) from the main entrance.
- There is level access to the desk/counter from the entrance.
- The desk/counter is medium height (77cm - 109cm).
- The desk/counter does not have a low (76cm or lower) section.
- The lighting levels are medium.
- There is not a hearing assistance system.
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Comments
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- The reception desk is a table staffed by two security staff. No transactions or business takes place at the reception.
Inside Access
- There is level access to the service(s).
- There is a hearing assistance system.
- The system is a fixed loop.
- Staff are trained to use the system.
- Motorised scooters are welcomed in public parts of the venue.
- The lighting levels are varied.
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Comments
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- Most of City Hall is not open to the public. The main entrance level is the first floor which has the council chamber, conference hall and a range of meeting rooms. There are also an accessible toilet and a changing places facility here. Standard toilets are on a lower level and reached by stairs only.
Other Floors
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Steps
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- The floors which are accessible by stairs are G-UG-1-2-3-4.
- There are 15+ steps between floors.
- The steps are clearly marked.
- The steps are medium (11cm - 17cm).
- The steps do have handrails.
- The steps have a handrail on the left going up.
- There is a landing.
- The lighting levels are bright.
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Comments
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- All stairwells are for use by staff and accompanied visitors only. Stairwells generally have one handrail which will be to the left in one side of the building and the right at the other side.
Lift (Staff)
- There is not a lift for public use.
- The lift is located in each wing.
- The lift is a standard lift.
- The floors which are accessible by this lift are G-UG-1-2-3-4.
- The lift is approximately 25m (27yd 1ft) from the main entrance.
- Staff do need to be notified for use of the lift.
- The clear door width is 150cm (4ft 11in).
- The dimensions of the lift are 210cm x 140cm (6ft 11in x 4ft 7in).
- There are not separate entry and exit doors in the lift.
- There is not a mirror to aid reversing out of 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 have Braille markings.
- The lift does have tactile markings.
- The lighting level in the lift is medium.
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Comments
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- The lifts in the building are historic and cannot be altered. Visitors will be accompanied as there is no general public access to the lifts.
Council Chamber
- The chamber is normally used only by members of the council for formal meetings. Members of the press and public are usually permitted to attend. There is level access to the chamber from the main entrance and the doors leading into the chamber are 900cm wide. There is a shallow slope to access an area on the window side of the room which is intended for wheelchair or mobility aid users. The general public will be seated at the back of the chamber in the banked seating, which has armrests. There is a fixed loop within the chamber.
Conference Hall
- The conference hall is on the first floor opposite the main entrance.
- Doors to the room are double, open outwards and are 155cm wide.
- The room is flexible and can be set out with tables or just with chairs.
- A slight portable ramp with a width of 76cm is available to enable wheelchair users to access the stage level.
- The lighting is adjustable and there is a fixed hearing loop.
Meeting Rooms
- There are a number of meeting rooms of varying sizes along the corridors to the left and right of the main entrance on the first floor.
Eating and Drinking (Cash Hall)
- The following information is for the café.
- The café is located on the ground floor at the rear of the building.
- The bar does serve food.
- Full table service is not available.
- Food or drinks are ordered from the service counter.
- Food or drinks can be brought to the table.
- There is not a lowered section at the counter.
- Some tables are permanently fixed.
- Some chairs are permanently fixed.
- Some chairs have armrests.
- The nearest table is approximately 18m (19yd 2ft) from the rear entrance.
- The standard height for tables is 71cm.
- There is ample room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
- Takeaway cutlery is available.
- Drinking straws are available.
- Menus are wall only.
- 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.
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Comments
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- This cafe is intended for staff but may be used by an accompanied guest. The facility, known as the Cash Hall, has a tiered seating area which is used occasionally by the Mayor of Bristol for public events and is also used for training sessions as a projector and screen are available. Wheelchair users and those with mobility difficulties are seated in front of the seating.
- The café no longer does takeaway plastic cups but anyone can bring their own refillable cup.
Changing Places
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Location and access
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- The facility is located on the first floor to the right of the main entrance.
- The facility is approximately 40m (43yd 2ft) from the main entrance.
- There is level access to the facility.
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Dimensions and features
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- You do not need a key for the facility.
- The door opens outwards.
- The door is push pad activated.
- The width of the door is 100cm (3ft 3in).
- The dimensions of the facility are 256cm x 380cm (8ft 5in x 12ft 6in).
- The facility changing bench height is adjustable.
- The facility changing bench is free standing.
- The length of the facility changing bench is 180cm (5ft 11in).
- The facility hoist is powered overhead.
- The overhead hoist covers the changing bench and the toilet.
- The sling is attached to the hoist by hook and loop.
- The facility toilet has a transfer space on both sides.
- The transfer space on the left as you face the toilet is 120cm (3ft 11in).
- The transfer space on the right as you face the toilet is 88cm (2ft 11in).
- Wall mounted grab rails are available.
- As you face the toilet the wall mounted grab rails are on both sides.
- Drop down rails are provided.
- As you face the toilet the drop down rail(s) is/are on both sides.
- The type of wash basin is adjustable.
- Wall mounted grab rails are available at the wash basin.
- As you face the wash basin, the wall mounted grab rails are on both sides.
- Disposal facilities are available.
- A privacy screen is available.
- Wide tear off paper roll is available.
- The facility has a non slip floor.
- A functioning emergency alarm is available.
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Comments
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- There is a quiet room between the corridor and the changing places toilet with an automatic door 130cm wide. The changing places facility is on the right side of the corridor and there is a standard corner accessible toilet further down the corridor on the left.
Toilet with Adaptations (Cash Hall)
- Accessible toilet facilities are available.
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Location and Access
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- There is Braille, tactile and pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
- This accessible toilet is approximately 20m (21yd 2ft) from the lift.
- This accessible toilet is located on the lower ground floor, adjacent to the Cash Hall/café area.
- There is level access to this accessible toilet.
- This is by lift.
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Features and Dimensions
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- This is a shared toilet.
- A key is not required for the accessible toilet.
- The door opens outwards (automatically).
- The door is push pad activated.
- The door is locked by a locking handle.
- The width of the accessible toilet door is 90cm (2ft 11in).
- The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 200cm x 290cm (6ft 7in x 9ft 6in).
- 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 left.
- The lateral transfer space is 164cm (5ft 5in).
- 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.
- There is an emergency alarm.
- The emergency pull cord alarm is fully functional.
- Disposal facilities are available in the cubicle.
- There is a/are sanitary, non-infectious waste and open waste paper bin disposal units.
- There is not a/are not coat hook(s).
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Position of Fixtures
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- 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.
- Mirrors are placed at a lower level or at an angle for ease of use.
- The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 48cm (1ft 7in).
- There is a hand dryer.
- The hand dryer cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The hand dryer is not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
- 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 can be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The wash basin is not placed higher than 74cm (2ft 5in).
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Colour Contrast and Lighting
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- 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 good.
- There is a good colour contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall.
- The contrast between the walls and floor is good.
- The lighting levels are good.
Toilet with Adaptations (First Floor)
- Accessible toilet facilities are available.
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Location and Access
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- There is Braille, tactile and pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
- This accessible toilet is approximately 70m (76yd 1ft) from the main entrance.
- This accessible toilet is located off the corridor to the right of the main entrance.
- There is level access to this accessible toilet.
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Features and Dimensions
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- This is a shared toilet.
- A key is not required for the accessible toilet.
- The door opens outwards (automatically).
- The door is push pad activated.
- The door is locked by a locking handle.
- The width of the accessible toilet door is 90cm (2ft 11in).
- The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 210cm x 290cm (6ft 11in x 9ft 6in).
- 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 left.
- The lateral transfer space is 165cm (5ft 5in).
- 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.
- There is an emergency alarm.
- The emergency pull cord alarm is fully functional.
- Disposal facilities are available in the cubicle.
- There is a/are sanitary and non-infectious waste disposal units.
- There is not a/are not coat hook(s).
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Position of Fixtures
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- 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.
- Mirrors are placed at a lower level or at an angle for ease of use.
- The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 48cm (1ft 7in).
- There is a hand dryer.
- The hand dryer cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The hand dryer is not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
- 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 can be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The wash basin is not placed higher than 74cm (2ft 5in).
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Colour Contrast and Lighting
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- 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 good.
- There is a good colour contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall.
- The contrast between the walls and floor is good.
- The lighting levels are good.
Standard Toilet(s)
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Availability and Location of Standard Toilets
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- Standard toilet facilities are available.
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Access to Standard Female Toilet(s)
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- The female toilet facilities that were surveyed are located on the upper ground floor to the left of the main entrance.
- The female toilet(s) is/are approximately 40m (43yd 2ft) from the main entrance.
- Inside the venue, there is not level access to the female toilet(s).
- Lighting levels in the female toilets are good.
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Access to Standard Male Toilet(s)
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- The male toilet facilities that were surveyed are located on the upper ground floor to the right of the main entrance.
- The male toilet(s) is/are approximately 40m (43yd 2ft) from the main entrance.
- Inside the venue, there is not level access to the male toilet(s).
- Lighting levels in the male toilets are good.
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Baby Change Facilities
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- Baby change facilities are located within the venue.
- Baby change facilities are located in the lobby area.
- The height of the baby change table once extended is 86cm (2ft 10in).
- Inside the venue, there is level access to the baby change facility.
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Comments
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- The baby change facility in the lobby area to the accessible toilet.
- There are steps to the provision within the female and male toilets lobbies.
- All other standard toilet facilities within the building are gender neutral and are intended, primarily, for staff.
Level Change (Standard Toilets - Upper Ground Floor)
- There is a/are step(s) to access this area/service.
- The step(s) is/are located to the left and right of the main entrance.
- There is/are 15+ step(s) to the area/service.
- The lighting levels at the step(s) are medium.
- The step(s) is/are clearly marked.
- The step(s) is/are medium height (11cm - 17cm).
- There is a/are handrail(s) at the step(s).
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Comments
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- The handrail is to the left on the steps for the female toilet and the right for the male toilet. There is no through access from one facility to the other.
Additional Info
- Staff do receive disability awareness / equality training.
- Documents are available in Braille.
- Documents are available in large print.
- A bowl of water can be provided for an assistance dog.
- An assistance dog toilet area can be provided onsite.
- The assistance dog toilet area is located to the front of the building.
- A member of staff trained in BSL skills is not normally on duty.
- This service can be requested.
- Home visits / services are not available.