Access Guide
Location
- There is a bus stop within 150m (164yds) of the venue.
- The nearest National Rail station is Colchester.
Introduction
- Services / facilities within the building include Meeting rooms, Classrooms, Coffee Bar, Pottery Room.
Opening Times
- Please contact the venue for details of opening times.
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Comments
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- For up to date term and non term opening times please refer to the website.
- Opening times are dependent on term times.
Parking
- The venue does have its own car park.
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Venue Car Park
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- Parking is free for all users.
- The car park is located to the rear and left of the venue.
- The car park type is open air/surface.
- Parking spaces for Blue Badge holders cannot booked in advance.
- There is/are 7 Blue Badge parking bay(s) within the car park.
- The dimensions of the Blue Badge parking bay(s) are 230cm x 450cm (7ft 7in x 14ft 9in).
- The nearest Blue Badge bay is 30m (32yd 2ft) from the car park entrance.
- The furthest Blue Badge bay is 15m (16yd 1ft) from the car park entrance.
- The route from the car park to the entrance is accessible to a wheelchair user with assistance.
- Assistance may be required because there is/are slopes/ramps.
- The car park surface is tarmac and block paving.
- There is a dropped kerb between the car park and the venue.
- The dropped kerb does not have tactile paving.
- 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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Drop-off Point
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- There is not a designated drop off point.
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 venue.
- There is ramped/sloped or stepped access at this entrance.
- The main door(s) open(s) automatically.
- The door(s) is/are double width.
- The width of the door opening is 160cm.
- There is a second set of doors.
- The door(s) open(s) automatically.
- The door(s) is/are double width.
- The width of the door opening is 190cm.
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Ramp/Slope
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- The ramp/slope is located leading from Barrack Street.
- The gradient of the ramp/slope is steep.
- The ramp/slope is permanent.
- There is a level landing at the top of the ramp/slope.
Outside Access (Car Park Entrance)
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Entrance
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- This information is for the entrance located within the car park at the side of the venue.
- There is ramped/sloped or stepped access at this entrance.
- The main door(s) open(s) automatically.
- The door(s) is/are double width.
- The width of the door opening is 135cm.
- There is a small lip on the threshold of the entrance, with a height of 2cm or below.
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Ramp/Slope
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- The ramp/slope is located to the left as you face 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 a/are handrail(s) at the ramp.
- The handrail(s) is/are on both sides.
- The ramp/slope does bypass the step(s).
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Step(s)
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- The step(s) is/are located in front of the entrance.
- There is/are 2 step(s).
- The step(s) is/are clearly marked.
- The step(s) has/have tactile paving at the top and bottom.
- The height of the step(s) is/are between 15cm and 18cm.
- There is a/are handrail(s) at the step(s).
- The handrail(s) is/are on both sides.
- Handrails are not at the recommended height (90cm-100cm).
- Handrails do cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
- Handrails are easy to grip.
- Handrails do not extend horizontally beyond the first and last steps.
Outside Access (To the far right of the building)
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Entrance
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- This information is for the entrance located to the far right of the building.
- There is ramped/sloped access at this entrance.
- There is not a bell/buzzer.
- The main door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
- The door(s) may be difficult to open.
- The door(s) is/are single width.
- The width of the door opening is 115cm.
- There is a small lip on the threshold of the entrance, with a height of 2cm or below.
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Ramp/Slope
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- The ramp/slope is located leading to the door threshold.
- 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.
- There is not a/are not handrail(s) at the ramp.
Reception
- The desk/counter is 7m (7yd 1ft) from the main entrance.
- There is level access to the desk/counter from the entrance.
- The desk/counter is high (110cm+).
- The desk/counter has a low (76cm or lower) section.
- The lighting levels are good.
- There is a hearing assistance system.
- The type of system is a portable loop.
- The hearing assistance system is signed.
- Staff are trained to use the system.
Inside Access
- There is level access to the service(s).
- This venue does not play background music.
- Motorised scooters are welcomed in public parts of the venue.
- The lighting levels are moderate to good.
Level Change (Access to Lift, Coffee Bar, Main Hall and Meeting Rooms)
- There is a ramp/slope to access this area/service.
- The ramp/slope is located to the right of reception.
- The ramp/slope gradient is slight.
- The ramp/slope is permanent.
- There is a level landing at the top of the ramp/slope.
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Comments
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- The ramp leads to the lift and the rest of the ground floor.
- There are additional easy and moderate ramps located on the first floor.
Eating and Drinking (Cafe)
- The following information is for the café.
- The café is located to the rear right of reception.
- 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.
- No tables are permanently fixed.
- No chairs are permanently fixed.
- No chairs have armrests.
- The nearest table is approximately 4m (4yd 1ft) from the Café entrance.
- The standard height for tables is 74cm.
- There is ample room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
- Plastic / takeaway cups are available.
- Plastic / takeaway cutlery is available.
- Drinking straws are available.
- Menus are hand held and wall.
- 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.
Other Floors
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Steps
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- The floors which are accessible by stairs are G,1.
- There are 15+ steps between floors.
- The steps are clearly marked.
- The steps are medium height (11cm - 17cm).
- The steps do have handrails.
- The steps have a handrail on both sides.
- There is a landing.
- The lighting levels are moderate to good.
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Comments
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- There are similar staircases at either end of the building.
Lift
- There is a lift for public use.
- The lift is located at the rear of the building.
- The lift is a standard lift.
- The floors which are accessible by this lift are G,1.
- The lift is approximately 25m (27yd 1ft) from the main 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 112cm x 215cm (3ft 8in x 7ft 1in).
- There are not separate entry and exit doors in the lift.
- There is a mirror to aid reversing out of the lift.
- The lift does have a visual floor indicator.
- The lift does not 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 moderate to good.
Lift (First Floor Platform Lift)
- There is a lift for public use.
- The lift is located on the first floor.
- The lift is a stair lift.
- The floors which are accessible by this lift are The lift assists with a level change in the corridor on the first floor.
- The platform lift accesses a small level change.
- The lift is approximately 5m (5yd 1ft) from the main lift.
- Staff do not need to be notified for use of the lift.
- The dimensions of the lift are 104cm x 87cm (3ft 5in x 2ft 10in).
- The controls for the lift are within 90cm - 120cm from the floor.
- The lift does not have Braille markings.
- The lift does not have tactile markings.
- The lighting level in the lift is moderate to good.
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Comments
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- This lift overcomes 9 steps on the main staircase, leading to Room 26.
Level Change (From Café to Standard Toilets and Accessible Toilet)
- There is a ramp/slope to access this area/service.
- The ramp/slope is located leading from the Café to the standard and accessible toilets.
- The ramp/slope gradient is steep.
- The ramp/slope is permanent.
- There is a level landing at the top of the ramp/slope.
- The ramp does not have handrails.
Accessible Toilet (Ground Floor rear of Cafe - Left Hand Transfer)
- Accessible toilet facilities are available.
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Location and Access
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- There is pictorial and written text signage on or near the toilet door.
- This accessible toilet is approximately 15m (16yd 1ft) from the rear of the Cafe.
- This accessible toilet is located at the rear of the Cafe.
- There is not 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.
- The door is locked by a twist lock.
- The width of the accessible toilet door is 80cm (2ft 7in).
- The door is easy to open.
- The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 155cm x 285cm (5ft 1in x 9ft 4in).
- 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 81cm (2ft 8in).
- 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 not fully functional.
- The alarm was out of reach (higher than 10cm (4") from floor) when surveyed.
- Disposal facilities are available in the cubicle.
- There is a/are sanitary, non-infectious waste and waste paper pedal 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 the right.
- There is not a shelf within the accessible toilet.
- There is not a mirror.
- The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 48cm (1ft 7in).
- There is not a hand dryer.
- 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 not a toilet roll holder.
- 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 poor.
- There is a medium colour contrast between the internal door and wall.
- The contrast between the wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is fair.
- There is a good colour contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall.
- The contrast between the walls and floor is fair.
- The lighting levels are moderate to 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 within accessible toilet.
- The height of the baby change table once extended is 95cm (3ft 1in).
Accessible Toilet (Car Park Entrance - Right Hand Transfer)
- Accessible toilet facilities are available.
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Location and Access
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- There is pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
- This accessible toilet is approximately 5m (5yd 1ft) from the car park entrance.
- This accessible toilet is located to the left as you enter the building.
- There is level access to this accessible toilet.
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Features and Dimensions
View
- This is a shared toilet.
- A key is not required for the accessible toilet.
- The door opens inwards.
- The door is locked by a twist lock.
- The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 255cm x 220cm (8ft 4in 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 170cm (5ft 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.
- 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 waste paper pedal bin disposal units.
- There is a/are coat hook(s).
- The height of the coat hook is 175cm from the floor.
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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 not a mirror.
- 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 placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
- The height of the towel dispenser is 105cm (3ft 5in).
- 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
View
- The contrast between the external door and wall is fair.
- There is a low 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 moderate to good.
Accessible Toilet (First Floor - Next to Hair Salon - Right Hand Transfer)
- Accessible toilet facilities are available.
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Location and Access
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- There is pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
- This accessible toilet is approximately 25m (27yd 1ft) from the Lift.
- This accessible toilet is located on the first floor next to the hair salon.
- 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 is locked by a twist lock.
- The width of the accessible toilet door is 160cm (5ft 3in).
- The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 160cm x 240cm (5ft 3in x 7ft 10in).
- 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 84cm (2ft 9in).
- 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 not fully functional.
- The alarm was out of reach (higher than 10cm (4") from floor) when surveyed.
- 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
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 not a mirror.
- The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 48cm (1ft 7in).
- There is not a hand dryer.
- 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.
- There is not a wash basin.
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Colour Contrast and Lighting
View
- The contrast between the external door and wall is fair.
- There is a medium 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 moderate to good.
Accessible Toilet (First Floor - Opposite Room 29 - Right Hand Transfer)
- Accessible toilet facilities are available.
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Location and Access
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- There is pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
- This accessible toilet is approximately 30m (32yd 2ft) from the Lift.
- This accessible toilet is located opposite room 29.
- 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 inwards.
- The door is locked by a locking handle.
- The width of the accessible toilet door is 86cm (2ft 10in).
- The door may be difficult to open.
- The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 205cm x 265cm (6ft 9in x 8ft 8in).
- 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 123cm (4ft).
- There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
- There is a flush, however it is not 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 not fully functional.
- The alarm was out of reach (higher than 10cm (4") from floor) when surveyed.
- 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
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.
- 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).
- The hand dryer requires hands to be inserted into the top.
- There is a towel dispenser.
- The towel dispenser cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The towel dispenser is placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
- The height of the towel dispenser is 105cm (3ft 5in).
- 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
View
- The contrast between the external door and wall is poor.
- There is a low colour contrast between the internal door and wall.
- 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 moderate to good.
Standard Toilet(s) (Ground Floor Rear of Cafe)
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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 and Male Toilet(s)
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- The female and male toilet facilities that were surveyed are located at the rear of the Cafe.
- The female and male toilets are approximately 15m (16yd 1ft) from the Cafe.
- Inside the venue, there is not level access to the female and male toilets.
Standard Toilet(s) (Female Ground Floor - Car Park Entrance)
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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 to the left after the entrance from car park.
- The female toilet(s) is/are approximately 3m (3yd 10in) from the car park entrance.
- Inside the venue, there is level access to the female toilet(s).
- Lighting levels in the female toilets are moderate to good.
Level Change (From Café to First Floor Standard Toilets)
- There is a/are step(s) to access this area/service.
- The step(s) is/are located at the tear of the cafe.
- There is/are 18 step(s) to the area/service.
- The lighting levels at the step(s) are moderate to good.
- There is not tactile paving at the top and bottom of the steps.
- 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).
- The handrail(s) is/are on both sides.
Standard Toilet(s) (First Floor - Mezzanine Rear of Cafe)
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Access to Standard Female and Male Toilet(s)
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- The female and male toilet facilities that were surveyed are located on the mezzanine floor at the rear of the cafe.
- The female and male toilets are approximately 20m (21yd 2ft) from the Cafe.
- Inside the venue, there is not level access to the female and male toilets.
- Lighting levels in the female and male toilets are moderate to good.
Additional Info
- Documents can be requested in Braille.
- Documents can be requested 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.
- This service can be requested.
- Home visits / services are not available.