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Centre Management Office

St Stephens Lane, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP1 1DT

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Access Guide

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Getting Here

Getting Help and Assistance

  • There is a member of staff available for help and assistance.
  • Staff receive disability awareness/equality training.
  • There is not a member of staff trained in British Sign Language.
  • Staff do not receive deaf awareness training.
  • British Sign Language interpreters cannot be provided on request.
  • There is not an assistance dog toilet or toileting area at the venue/near by.
  • Water bowls for assistance dogs are available.
  • There are mobility aids available.
  • The mobility aids available include motorised wheelchairs, mobility scooters and wheelchairs.
  • To obtain mobility aids please contact Shopmobility.

Parking

  • Parking View
    • The shopping centre does have its own parking facilities.
    • The car park is located off Falcon Road.
    • The car park type is underground.
    • The car park does have a height restriction barrier.
    • The maximum height of the restriction barrier is 205cm (6ft 9in).
    • The car park does have a barrier control system.
    • The car park surface is concrete.
    • Clearly marked/signposted parent and child parking bays are available.
    • All parking spaces are provided on a first come first served basis.
  • Blue Badge Parking View
    • There is a/are Blue Badge parking bay(s) available.
    • The Blue Badge bay(s) is/are clearly marked.
    • There is/are 10+ designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) within the car park.
    • The dimensions of the designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) surveyed are 310cm x 485cm (10ft 2in x 15ft 11in).
    • The dimensions of other designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) vary in size.
    • Parking spaces for Blue Badge holders do not need to be booked in advance.
  • Paying View
    • There are parking charges for the car park.
    • Payment signs are provided.
    • Payment signs are clearly presented.
    • Payment signs are located at the payment machines in the building.
    • Payment term signs do not make it clear if parking charges apply to Blue Badge holders.
    • Payment machines are located inside the building.
    • Payment machines are located at the entrance to the central stairs and lifts and the St Stephens Lane Entrance stairs and lift.
    • There is a payment machine at a convenient height for wheelchair users.
    • There is a level turning space (minimum 185cm x 210cm) in front of the payment machine(s).
    • To see the parking charges please click here (opens new tab).
  • Access from the Car Park View
    • The route from the car park to the entrance is accessible to a wheelchair user unaided.
    • The entrance is clearly visible from the car park.
    • The surface on the approach to the entrance is concrete.
    • There is not a road to cross between the car park and the entrance.
    • The nearest designated Blue Badge parking bay is approximately 3m (3yd 10in) from the central stairs and lift lobby.
  • Drop-off Point(s) View
    • There is not a/are not clearly marked drop-off point(s).
  • Comments View
    • Blue Badge bays on the lower ground floor are reserved for Shopmobility members.
    • Shopmobility members are entitled to 2 hours free parking in the accessible bays on the lower ground floor.

Opening Times

  • Monday 09:00 - 17:30.
  • Tuesday 09:00 - 17:30.
  • Wednesday 09:00 - 17:30.
  • Thursday 09:00 - 17:30.
  • Friday 09:00 - 17:30.
  • Saturday 09:00 - 17:30.
  • Sunday Closed.

Other Floors (Central Stairs and Lift Lobby)

  • Stairs View
    • Stairs can be used to access other floors.
    • The stairs are for public use.
    • The stairs are located in the centre of Buttermarket.
    • The stairs are approximately 7m from the car park pedestrian exit.
    • Signs indicating the location of the stairs are clearly visible from the entrance.
    • The floors which are accessible by stairs are B, LG, G and 1.
    • There are 15+ steps between floors.
    • The height of the step(s) is/are between the recommended 15cm and 18cm.
    • The going of the step(s) is/are between the recommended 30cm and 45cm.
    • The steps are not 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.
    • Handrails do extend horizontally beyond the first and last steps.
    • 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 (Central Stairs and Lift Lobby)

  • There is a lift for public use.
  • The lift is located in the centre of Buttermarket.
  • Signs indicating the location of the lift are clearly visible from the entrance.
  • The lift is approximately 9m (9yd 2ft) from the car park pedestrian exit.
  • The lift is a standard 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 B, LG, G and 1.
  • There are automatic, double doors to on the lower ground floor and on the basement floor.
  • 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 contrast visually with lift lobby walls.
  • The external controls for the lift are not within 90cm - 110cm from the floor.
  • The colour contrast between the external lift controls and the control plate is poor.
  • The colour contrast between the external lift control plate and the wall is good.
  • The clear door width is 110cm (3ft 7in).
  • The dimensions of the lift are 180cm x 183cm (5ft 11in x 6ft).
  • There are no separate entry and exit doors in the lift.
  • There is 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 not have Braille markings.
  • The lift does have tactile markings.
  • The lighting levels in the lift are good.
  • There is a/are similar lift(s) available.

Other Floors (St Stephens Lane)

  • Stairs View
    • Stairs can be used to access other floors.
    • The stairs are for public use.
    • The stairs are located to the right as you enter the St Stephens Lane entrance.
    • The stairs are approximately 13m from the St Stephens Lane entrance.
    • The stairs are clearly visible from the entrance.
    • The floors which are accessible by stairs are B, LG, G and 1.
    • There are 15+ steps between floors.
    • The height of the step(s) is/are between the recommended 15cm and 18cm.
    • The going of the step(s) is/are 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.
    • Handrails do extend horizontally beyond the first and last steps.
    • There is a landing.
    • Clear signs indicating the facilities on each floor are provided on landings.
    • The lighting levels at the steps are good.

Lift (St Stephens Lane)

  • There is a lift for public use.
  • The lift is located to the right as you enter St Stephens Lane entrance.
  • The lift is clearly visible from the entrance.
  • The lift is approximately 13m (14yd 8in) from the St Stephens Lane entrance.
  • The lift is a standard 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 LG, G and 1.
  • There are manual, double doors which may be difficult to open to access the lift lobby on the lower ground floor.
  • Clear signs indicating the facilities on each floor are provided on lift lobby landings.
  • There is a clear level manoeuvring space of 150cm × 150cm in front of the lift.
  • Lift doors do contrast visually with lift lobby walls.
  • 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 poor.
  • The colour contrast between the external lift control plate and the wall is poor.
  • The clear door width is 110cm (3ft 7in).
  • The dimensions of the lift are 160cm x 140cm (5ft 3in x 4ft 7in).
  • There are no separate entry and exit doors in the lift.
  • There is 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 a hearing loop system.
  • The lift does have Braille markings.
  • The lift does have tactile markings.
  • The lighting levels in the lift are good.
  • There is a/are similar lift(s) available.

Escalator(s) (St Stephens Lane)

  • Escalator(s) View
    • Escalators can be used to access other floors.
    • The escalator(s) is/are located ahead as you enter through the St Stephens Lane entrance.
    • The escalator(s) is/are clearly visible from the entrance.
    • The escalators go both up and down.
    • The floors which are accessible by escalator(s) are G and 1.
    • The escalator(s) steps are not clearly marked.
    • The foot and head of the escalator(s) are not clearly marked.
    • The lighting levels at the escalator(s) are good.

Entrance (Centre Management Entrance)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located on the First Floor, to the left of the escalators.
    • The entrance area/door is clearly signed.
    • There is step-free access at this entrance.
    • The entrance door(s) does/do contrast visually with its immediate surroundings.
    • There is not a bell/buzzer.
    • There is an intercom.
    • The height of the intercom is 140cm (4ft 7in).
    • The main door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
    • The door(s) is/are double width.
    • The door(s) may be difficult to open.
    • The width of the opening is 160cm.
    • There is a second set of doors.
    • The door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
    • The door(s) is/are double width but one door is locked.
    • The door(s) may be difficult to open.
    • The width of the opening is 81cm.
    • Customers can use the intercom to speak to security who will send a member of the team to the customer instead of customers having to go to the office.
  • Comments View
    • There is an intercom at the second set of doors.
    • The height of the intercom is 142cm.
    • There is a door release button at the first door when exiting.
    • The height of the release button is 113cm.
    • There is a door release button at the second door when exiting.
    • The height of the release button is 141cm.
    • There is a hand sanitiser fixed to the wall next to both doors.
    • The height of the hand sanitiser at the first door is 124cm.
    • The height of the hand sanitiser at the second door is 118cm.

Reception (Centre Management Office)

  • Reception View
    • The reception point is located on the upper level, directly in front as you enter through the Centre Management entrance.
    • The reception point is approximately 5m (5yd 1ft) from the Centre Management entrance.
    • The reception area/desk is clearly visible from the entrance.
    • There is step-free access to the reception point.
    • There is a clear unobstructed route to the reception point.
    • There are no windows, TVs, glazed screens or mirrors behind the reception point which could adversely affect the ability of someone to lip read.
    • The counter is placed in front of a plain background.
    • The lighting levels at the reception point are good.
    • There is sufficient space to write or sign documents on the counter.
    • There is not a clear knee recess beneath the low/lowered section of the counter.
    • The counter is not staffed.
    • There is not a bell to attract attention.
    • Clipboards can be provided to anyone who is unable to use the desk.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system at the reception point.
    • The type of flooring in the reception area is carpet and vinyl.
  • Reception Seating Area View
    • There is a waiting area close to the reception point.
    • Access to the waiting area is unobstructed.
    • There is sufficient space for a wheelchair user to use the waiting area.

Meeting Room

  • There is a meeting room in the Centre Management Services.
  • Access into the meeting room is via double width doors.
  • The doors open towards you (pull).
  • The doors are heavy.
  • The width of the opening is 120cm.
  • There is not room for a wheelchair to manoeuvre.
  • There are chairs without armrests.
  • There is a water dispenser available.

Accessible Toilet(s)

  • There is not an/are not accessible toilet(s) for public use.
  • The nearest accessible toilet(s) is/are located on the lower ground floor, in the centre stairs and lift lobby.

Standard Toilet(s) (Centre Management)

  • Standard toilet facilities are available.
  • Access to Standard Female Toilet(s) View
    • The female toilet facilities that were surveyed are located to the right of reception.
    • The female toilet(s) is/are approximately 7m (7yd 1ft) from the Centre Management entrance.
    • There is step-free access into the female 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 tap type is twist/turn.
    • There is not a flashing fire alarm beacon within the toilets.
    • Lighting levels are good.
  • Access to Standard Male Toilet(s) View
    • The male toilet facilities that were surveyed are located to the right of reception.
    • The male toilet(s) is/are approximately 6m (6yd 1ft) from the Centre Management entrance.
    • There is step-free access into the 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 tap type is twist/turn.
    • There is not a flashing fire alarm beacon within the toilets.
    • Lighting levels are good.

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