You are on Introduction. Skip to the next section.

Introduction

• Services / facilities within the building include ice rinks, hockey/speed skating/curling arena, soft play, a cafe and a shop.
• Related link The Hive Leisure Park.
• Http://www.thehivewidnes.co.uk

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• Comments View
  • Opening times vary during performances or events.

You are on Location. Skip to the next section.

Location

• There is a bus stop within 150m (164yds) of the venue.
• The nearest National Rail station is Widnes.

You are on Opening Hours. Skip to the next section.

Opening Hours

• For information about the opening hours please click here.

You are on Parking. Skip to the next section.

Parking

• The venue does have its own car park.

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• Venue Car Park View
  • Parking is free for all users.
  • The car park is located at the front of the building.
  • The car park type is open air/surface.
  • Parking spaces for Blue Badge holders cannot booked in advance.
  • There is/are 10+ designated parking bay(s) within the car park.
  • The dimensions of the designated parking bay(s) are 380cm x 600cm (12ft 6in x 19ft 8in).
  • The nearest designated bay is 35m (38yd 10in) from the main entrance.
  • The furthest designated bay is 73m (79yd 2ft) from the main entrance.
  • The route from the car park to the entrance is accessible to a wheelchair user unaided.
  • The car park surface is tarmac.
  • The patron does not have to cross a road.
  • The car park does not have a height restriction barrier.
• Drop-off Point View
  • There is not a designated drop off point.

You are on Outside Access (Main Entrance). Skip to the next section.

Outside Access (Main Entrance)

• This information is for the entrance located at the front of the building.
• There is level access into the venue.
• The main door(s) open towards you (pull).
• The doors are double width.
• The door(s) is / are heavy.
• The door opening is 220cm (7ft 3in) wide.

You are on Reception. Skip to the next section.

Reception

• The desk is 5m (5yd 1ft) from the main entrance.
• There is level access to reception from the entrance.
• The reception desk is medium height (77cm - 109cm).
• The desk has a low (76cm or lower) section.
• The lighting levels are bright.
• There is a hearing assistance system.
• The hearing system is available only on request.
• The type of system is a fixed loop.
• Staff are trained to use the system.

You are on Inside Access. Skip to the next section.

Inside Access

• There is level access to the service.
• This venue does play background music/noise.
• Music/noise is played throught the venue.
• Motorised scooters are welcomed in public parts of the venue.
• The lighting levels are bright.

You are on Eating and Drinking. Skip to the next section.

Eating and Drinking

• The following information is for the cafe.
• The cafe is located to the rear left of the main rink.
• 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 62m (67yd 2ft) from the main entrance.
• The standard height for tables is 75cm.
• 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.

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• Comments View
  • The cafe is usually open at the same time as public skating and some events.
  • Please contact venue/check website for details.

You are on Outside Access (Ice Rink). Skip to the next section.

Outside Access (Ice Rink)

• This information is for the entrance located to the rear side of the rink.
• There is level access into the venue.
• The main door(s) open towards you (pull).
• The doors are single width.
• The door(s) is / are permanently held open.
• The door opening is 89cm (2ft 11in) wide.

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• Comments View
  • There is a similar entrance further round the rink at the far side of the seating and there are wider gates if required.

You are on Outside Access (Small Rink). Skip to the next section.

Outside Access (Small Rink)

• This information is for the entrance located at the side of the small rink.
• There is not level access into the venue.
• The main door(s) open towards you (pull).
• The doors are single width.
• The door(s) is / are permanently held open.
• The door opening is 71cm (2ft 4in) wide.

You are on Level Change (Small Rink). Skip to the next section.

Level Change (Small Rink)

• There is a / are step(s) to access this area / service.
• The step(s) is / are located in the doorway.
• There is / are 1 step(s) to the area / service.
• The step(s) is/are not clearly marked.
• The step(s) is / are medium.
• The steps do have handrails.
• The handrails are on both sides.

You are on Sports Ground. Skip to the next section.

Sports Ground

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• Non-Segregated Seating View
  • Home and Away wheelchair users do not have separate seating areas.
  • Wheelchair users have a designated accessible seating area.
  • There is not level access to the designated seating area.
  • Wheelchair seating is located round to the far rear corner.
  • The view from this area is good.
  • A companion can sit beside / near you.
  • Accessible toilets are available.
  • The closest accessible toilet to the seating area is 35m (38yd 10in).
  • The accessible toilet is located to the rear of the rink near the cafe.
  • There is not an audio description service.
  • There is standing room beside the majority of the rink with some level-access seating available.

You are on Level Change (Sports Ground). Skip to the next section.

Level Change (Sports Ground)

• There is a ramp or slope to access this service.
• The ramp or slope is located leading up to the designated seating area.
• The ramp or slope is permanent.
• There is not a level landing at the top of the ramp.
• The ramp does not have handrails.
• The width of the ramp or slope is 110cm (3ft 7in).
• There is a / are step(s) to access this area / service.
• The step(s) is / are located leading up to the arena seating.
• There is / are 5 step(s) to the area / service.
• The lighting levels at the steps are bright.
• The step(s) is/are not clearly marked.
• The step(s) is / are deep.
• The steps do have handrails.
• The handrails are on the left going up.
• The ramp/slope does bypass the step(s).

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• Comments View
  • There are steps at the far side which offer handrails on both sides.
  • Further steps to front and rear seating do not offer handrails.

You are on Other Floors. Skip to the next section.

Other Floors

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• Steps View
  • 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 (11cm - 17cm).
  • The steps do have handrails.
  • The steps have a handrail on both sides.
  • There is a landing.
  • The lighting levels are medium.

You are on Lift. Skip to the next section.

Lift

• There is a lift for public use.
• The lift is located opposite the cafe at the rear left of the rink.
• The lift is a platform lift.
• The floors which are accessible by this lift are G-1.
• The lift is 68m (74yd 1ft) from the main entrance.
• Staff do need to be notified for use of the lift.
• The clear door width is 90cm (2ft 11in).
• The dimensions of the lift are 101cm x 145cm (3ft 4in x 4ft 9in).
• 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 not have a visual floor indicator.
• The lift does not have an audible announcer.
• The controls for the lift are within 120cm from the floor.
• The lift does have Braille markings.
• The lighting level in the lift is bright.

You are on Changing Places (First Floor). Skip to the next section.

Changing Places (First Floor)

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• Location and access View
  • The facility is located to the left on the first floor.
  • The facility is 27m (29yd 1ft) from the lift.
  • There is level access to the facility.
• Dimensions and features View
  • You do not need a key for the facility.
  • The door opens outwards.
  • The width of the door is 79cm (2ft 7in).
  • The dimensions of the facility are 290cm x 480cm (9ft 6in x 15ft 9in).
  • The facility changing bench height is adjustable.
  • The facility changing bench is free standing.
  • The length of the bench is 180cm (5ft 11in).
  • The facility hoist is powered overhead.
  • The overhead hoist covers the changing bench and the toilet.
  • The facility toilet has a transfer space on one side only.
  • The transfer space on the right as you face the toilet is 110cm (3ft 7in).
  • Wall mounted 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 rails are on the right.
  • The type of wash basin is fixed.
  • Wall mounted hand rails are available at the wash basin.
  • As you face the wash basin, rails are available on both sides.
  • Disposal facilities are available.
  • A privacy screen is not available.
  • Wide tear off paper roll is not available.
  • The facility has a non slip floor.
  • A functioning emergency alarm is available.
• Comments View
  • There are also accessible toilets offering transfer space on either side to the rear of the first floor.

You are on Standard Toilet(s). Skip to the next section.

Standard Toilet(s)

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• Availability and Location of Standard Toilets View
  • Standard toilet facilities are available.
• Access to Standard Female and Male Toilet(s) View
  • The female and male toilet facilities that were surveyed are located at the rear of the rink.
  • The female and male toilets are approximately 55m (60yd 5in) from the main entrance.
  • Inside the venue, there is level access to the female and male toilets.
  • An ambulant toilet cubicle with wall mounted grab rails is available.
  • Lighting levels in the female and male toilets are moderate to good.
• Comments View
  • There are further standard toilets within the changing rooms.

You are on Accessible Toilet (Surveyed - Right Hand Transfer). Skip to the next section.

Accessible Toilet (Surveyed - Right Hand Transfer)

• Accessible toilet facilities are available.

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• Location and Access View
  • There is pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
  • This accessible toilet is approximately 58m (63yd 1ft) from the main entrance.
  • This accessible toilet is located to the rear left of the rink, near the cafe.
  • There is level access to this accessible toilet.
• Features and Dimensions View
  • This is a shared toilet.
  • A key is required for the accessible toilet.
  • The key is a radar key.
  • The key can be obtained from a member of staff.
  • The door opens outwards.
  • The door is locked by a locking handle.
  • The width of the accessible toilet door is 80cm (2ft 7in).
  • The door is easy to open.
  • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 166cm x 215cm (5ft 5in x 7ft 1in).
  • 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 80cm (2ft 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 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 not a/are not coat hook(s).
• 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 47cm (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.
  • 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).
• Colour Contrast and Lighting View
  • 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 fair.
  • There is a fair 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.
• Baby Change Facilities View
  • Baby change facilities are located within the venue.
  • Baby change facilities are located within the accessible toilet.
  • The height of the baby change table once extended is 97cm (3ft 2in).
• Comments View
  • There are also accessible toilets offering transfer space on either side to the rear of the first floor.
  • These can be seen in pictures 9-11.

You are on Standard Changing Room. Skip to the next section.

Standard Changing Room

• There are standard changing rooms available.
• The standard changing room is 40m (43yd 2ft) from the main entrance.
• The standard changing room is 35m (38yd 10in) from the reception desk.
• The standard changing room is 13m (14yd 8in) from the ice rink.
• The standard changing rooms are located to the rear of the rink.
• There is level access to the standard changing rooms.
• Shower facilities are available within the changing room(s).
• There is not level access to the shower facilities.
• The shower cubicle(s) / area is / are accessed via a deep step.

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• Comments View
  • Lockers are available beside the ice rink.

You are on Additional Info. Skip to the next section.

Additional Info

• Staff do receive disability awareness / equality training.
• Documents are not available in Braille.
• Documents are available 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 cannot be requested.

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• Comments View
  • The photographs show a wheelchair available to borrow in the first aid room, an evacuation chair in the changing places facility, and some of the skating aids available.