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Govan Mbeki Fairtrade Cafe

Govan Mbeki Building, Glasgow Caledonian University, Cowcaddens Road, Glasgow, G4 0BA

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Access Guide

Show Easy Read

Introduction

Opening Times

  • Monday 08:30 - 17:00.
  • Tuesday 08:30 - 17:00.
  • Wednesday 08:30 - 17:00.
  • Thursday 08:30 - 17:00.
  • Friday 08:30 - 16:30.
  • Saturday Closed.
  • Sunday Closed.

Getting Here

  • By Road View
    • The University is located on Cowcaddens Road, easily accessible from Junction 16 (Westbound) or Junctions 15 & 17 (Eastbound) of the M8 motorway.
    • Campus parking is only available for permit holders and visitors only.
      There is Blue Badge parking available between the rear of the Sir Alex Ferguson Library and from the Carnegie Lecture Theatre and the PhD Building.
      Public parking available at the Concert Square car park on Cowcaddens Road diagonally opposite the University. Additional public parking is also available at the Buchanan Galleries on Killermont Street.
      There is pay and display street parking on Milton Street at the rear of the campus, time limited to 3 hours.
  • By Bus View
    • The university is situated opposite the Buchanan Bus Station which is served by routes 4, 9, 9A, 10A, B10, C10, 27, 54, 68, 71, 71A, 72, 77, 87, 88, 88A, 88C, 89, 89A, 89B, 213, 240, 240X, 255, 263, 267, 334, 336, 336, 500, 532, 537, 590, 592, 539, 542, 548, 588, 590, 592, 618, 900, 901, 906, 906X, 907, 914, 915, 916, 923, 926, 976, 977, G9, G10, L1, M8, M9, M11, M20, X1, X3, X7, X8, X11, X23, X24, X25, X25A, X26, X27, X28, X34, X36, X39, X44, X71, X74, X76, X77, X77N, X78, X79, X85, and X87.
      There are additional bus stops on North Hanover Street within 50m of the Student Association Building served by routes 27, 71, 87, 128, 329, CB1, X23, 88, 88A, 88C, 89, 89A and 89B.
  • By Train View
    • The nearest national railway station is Queen Street, which is 0.5 miles (11 minutes) from the university via North Hanover Street.
      Glasgow Central Station is also not far, 0.7 miles (14 minutes) via West Nile Street.
      However, all of the central Glasgow stations are within reach of the campus using public transport.
  • By Underground View
    • The nearest subway is Cowcaddens Underground Station, 0.4 miles (7 minutes) west of the university via Cowcaddens Road.
      However, Buchanan Street Underground Station is popular as it is located in the main shopping area and is about 0.4 miles (8 minutes) south of the university via West Nile Street and Buchanan Street.
  • Useful Links View
  • AccessAble Related Links View

Useful Information

Site/Campus Car Park (Main Campus Parking)

  • Car Park View
    • The car park is located at the rear of the campus site accessed from Cowcaddens Road.
    • The nearest building(s) to this car park is/are Sir Alex Ferguson Library, George Moore Building and the PhD Centre.
    • The car park type is open air/surface.
    • The car park does not have a height restriction barrier.
    • The car park surface is tarmac.
    • Designated Blue Badge parking bays are not available.
  • Charges and Restrictions View
    • This car park can be used by permit holders.
    • There are no parking charges that apply on the day.
  • Drop Off Point View
    • There is a designated drop off point in this car park.
    • There is not a dropped kerb from the drop off point.
  • Car Park Access View
    • There is ramped access to the car park from the main campus buildings.
    • This car park is not clearly signposted from the Sir Alex Ferguson Library.
  • Comments View
    • To get to the car park follow the access road from Cowcaddens Road to the left.
    • The designated drop off point is immediately to the right at the main car park access gate, between the Hamish Wood and Britannia buildings.

Site/Campus Car Park (Blue Badge Parking)

  • Car Park View
    • The car park is located between the rear of the Sir Alex Ferguson Library and Charles Oakley Laboratories.
    • The nearest building(s) to this car park is/are the Sir Alex Ferguson Library and Charles Oakley Laboratories.
    • The car park type is open air/surface.
    • The car park does not have a height restriction barrier.
    • The car park surface is tarmac.
    • Designated Blue Badge parking bays are available.
    • The Blue Badge bay(s) markings are faded.
    • There is/are 10+ designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) within this car park.
    • The dimensions of the designated parking bay(s) are 495cm x 595cm (16ft 3in x 19ft 6in).
    • The dimensions of the designated bays do vary in size.
  • Charges and Restrictions View
    • This car park can be used by permit holders.
    • There are no parking charges that apply on the day.
  • Drop Off Point View
    • There is a designated drop off point in this car park.
    • There is not a dropped kerb from the drop off point.
  • Car Park Access View
    • There is ramped access to the car park from the Oakley Laboratories Main Entrance.
    • The nearest designated bay is 26m (28yd 1ft) from the Carnegie Lecture Theatre entrance.
  • Comments View
    • To get to the car park follow the access road from Cowcaddens Road and then to the right behind the Sir Alex Ferguson Library.
    • The designated drop off point is immediately to the right at the main car park access gate, between the Hamish Wood and Britannia buildings as shown in photograph 4.
    • There is additional Blue Badge parking next to the Students' Association Building and the Arc Health and Wellbeing Facility, entered by a security gate from North Hanover Street.

Site/Campus Car Park (North Hanover Street Blue Badge Bays)

  • Car Park View
    • The car park is located off North Hanover Street in front of the Student Association Building and next to the ARC Health and Wellbeing Centre.
    • The nearest building(s) to this car park is/are the Student Association Building and the ARC Health and Wellbeing Centre.
    • The car park type is open air/surface.
    • The car park does not have a height restriction barrier.
    • The car park surface is tarmac.
    • Designated Blue Badge parking bays are available.
    • The Blue Badge bay(s) is/are clearly marked.
    • There is/are 9 designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) within this car park.
    • The dimensions of the designated parking bay(s) are 325cm x 650cm (10ft 8in x 21ft 4in).
    • The dimensions of the designated bays do vary in size.
  • Charges and Restrictions View
    • This car park can be used by Blue Badge holders.
    • There are no parking charges that apply on the day.
    • Signs are not provided to give information on parking charges/restrictions.
  • Drop Off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop off point in this car park.
  • Car Park Access View
    • There is ramped access to the car park from the campus.
    • This car park is not clearly signposted from the campus.
    • The nearest designated bay is 45m (49yd 8in) from the Student Association Building main entrance.
  • Comments View
    • The entrance into the car park is located off North Hanover Street and can be seen in photograph 3.

Outside Access (Main Entrance)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located at the front of the building.
    • There is ramped/sloped or stepped access at this entrance.
    • There is a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at this entrance.
    • The main door(s) open(s) automatically (by revolving).
    • The width of the door opening is 235cm (7ft 9in).
  • Ramp/Slope View
    • There is a ramp/slope at this entrance.
    • The ramp/slope is located to the right as you face the entrance.
    • The ramp/slope does bypass the step(s).
    • The ramp/slope gradient is slight.
    • The ramp is permanent.
    • There is a level landing at the top of the ramp.
    • The ramp does have handrails.
    • The handrails are on both sides.
  • Step(s) View
    • There is a / are step(s) at this entrance.
    • The step(s) is / are located in front of the entrance.
    • There is / are 11 step(s) to access the entrance.
    • There is tactile paving at the top and bottom of the step(s).
    • The step(s) is / are not clearly marked.
    • The step(s) is / are medium height (11cm - 17cm).
    • The steps do have handrails.
    • The handrails are on both sides.
  • Comments View
    • There is a control button at the side of the entrance to slow down the speed of revolution.
    • Alternatively the door revolution may be stopped and double sliding doors used to provide alternative access. Please contact the university beforehand for more information.
    • At the time of guide update in February 2023 only these central, double width, automatic doors were in use.

Lift (Main Lifts - Lifts 2 and 3)

  • There is a lift for public use.
  • The lift is located to the right on entering.
  • The lift is a standard lift.
  • The floors which are accessible by this lift are 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5.
  • Wall mounted information boards are provided at lift landings.
  • There are manual, double doors which may be difficult to open to access the lift lobby on all floors.
  • The weight limit for the lift is 1250kg, 16 persons.
  • The lift is approximately 13m (14yd 8in) from the main entrance.
  • Staff do not need to be notified for use of the lift.
  • The clear door width is 110cm (3ft 7in).
  • The dimensions of the lift are 176cm x 130cm (5ft 9in x 4ft 3in).
  • 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 have an audible announcer.
  • The lift does not have a hearing enhancement system.
  • The lift does not have Braille markings.
  • The lift does have tactile markings.
  • The controls for the lift are not within 90cm - 120cm from the floor.
  • The highest controls are 125cm from the floor.
  • The lighting level in the lift is moderate to good.

Outside Access (Main Entrance - Ground Floor)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located at the front left of the building giving ramped access to the ground floor.
    • There is ramped/sloped access at this entrance.
    • There is not a bell/buzzer.
    • There is not an intercom.
    • There is a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at this entrance.
    • The main door(s) open(s) automatically.
    • The door(s) is / are double.
    • The width of the door opening is 160cm (5ft 3in).
  • Second Set of Doors View
    • There is a second set of doors.
    • The door(s) open(s) automatically.
    • The door(s) is / are double.
    • The width of the door opening is 159cm (5ft 3in).
  • Ramp/Slope View
    • There is a ramp/slope at this entrance.
    • The ramp/slope is located immediately beyond the entrance.
    • The ramp/slope gradient is slight.

Entrance (George Moore Building Ground Floor Link Entrance)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located to the right of the George Moore Building on the ground floor.
    • There is ramped/sloped access at this entrance.
    • The main door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
    • The door(s) is / are double.
    • The door(s) may be difficult to open.
    • The width of the door opening is 164cm (5ft 5in).
  • Ramp/Slope View
    • There is a ramp/slope at this entrance.
    • The ramp/slope is located immediately beyond the entrance.
    • The ramp/slope gradient is slight.
    • The ramp/slope is permanent.
    • The ramp does have handrails.
    • The handrails are on both sides going up.
    • The width of the ramp is 140cm.
  • Comments View
    • This entrance is located inside the George Moore Building, near to the main entrance on the ground floor.
    • Please see the separate guide for the George Moore Building for more access information.

Outside Access (GCU Vision Centre)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located at the rear of the building.
    • There is ramped/sloped or stepped access at this entrance.
    • There is a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at this entrance.
    • The main door(s) open(s) automatically (towards you).
    • The door(s) is/are push pad activated.
    • The door(s) is / are double.
    • The width of the door opening is 152cm (4ft 12in).
  • Ramp/Slope View
    • There is a ramp/slope at this entrance.
    • The ramp/slope is located to the right as you face the entrance.
    • The ramp/slope does bypass the step(s).
    • The ramp/slope gradient is slight.
    • The ramp is permanent.
    • There is a level landing at the top of the ramp.
    • The ramp does have handrails.
    • The handrails are on the left going up the ramp.
    • The width of the ramp is 143cm (4ft 8in).
  • Step(s) View
    • There is a / are step(s) at this entrance.
    • The step(s) is / are located to the left as you face the entrance.
    • There is / are 4 step(s) to access the entrance.
    • There is not tactile paving at the top and bottom of the step(s).
    • The step(s) is / are not clearly marked.
    • The step(s) is / are medium height (11cm - 17cm).
    • The steps do have handrails.
    • The handrails are on both sides.
  • Comments View
    • The GCU Vision Centre is located to your right on entering. To access it you will need to pass through a set of heavy double doors that open towards you with a width of 152cm. This can be seen in photograph 6.

Getting Around

  • Access View
    • There is step free access throughout the area.
  • Getting Around View
    • There is not clear signage for building facilities/areas in the foyer/reception area.
    • There is some flooring in corridors which is shiny and could cause issues with glare or look slippery to some people.
    • There is good colour contrast between the walls and floor in all areas.
    • The lighting levels are good.
    • This building does not play background music.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system.

Eating and Drinking

  • The following information is for the café.
  • Full table service is not available.
  • Food or drinks are ordered from the service counter.
  • Food or drinks can be brought to the table.
  • No tables are permanently fixed.
  • No chairs are permanently fixed.
  • No chairs have armrests.
  • The nearest table is 14m (15yd 11in) from the main lifts.
  • The standard height for tables is 73cm.
  • 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 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 sandwiches and snacks.
  • Comments View
    • There are vending machines in the cafe area with controls and payment slots at a height of 125cm.
  • Comments View
    • There are vending machines in the cafe area with controls and payment slots at a height of 125cm.

Accessible Toilet

  • Accessible toilet facilities are not available.

Standard Toilet(s)

  • Standard Toilet Surveyed View
    • A male standard toilet was surveyed.
    • The toilet surveyed is located to the left of the cafe counter.
    • There is step free access to the standard toilet(s) surveyed from the entrance.
    • The standard toilet surveyed is approximately 8m from the main lifts.
    • There is not a/are not cubicle(s) suitable for ambulant disabled people in the standard toilet(s) surveyed.
    • Lighting levels in the standard toilet surveyed are good.
  • Comments View
    • There is a female standard toilet located nearby to the café, please refer to the Govan Mbeki building guide for details.