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Bullring and Grand Central - Shopmobility

Bullring and Grand Central, Birmingham, B5 4BU

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Access Guide

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Getting Here

Getting Help and Assistance

  • For the map of the shopping centre please click here (new tab).
  • There is a member of staff trained in British Sign Language. Please phone the venue in advance for more information
  • There is not an assistance dog toilet or toileting area at the venue/nearby.
  • Water bowls for assistance dogs are not available.
  • There are mobility aids available.
  • The mobility aids available include wheelchairs, motorised wheelchairs and mobility scooters.
  • To obtain mobility aids please contact Shopmobility on 0121 632 1509.
  • Shopmobility is located on -1 level in Central Car Park. Free hire of equipment is available to members.
    For information on Shopmobility please click here .

Multi-Storey Car Park

  • The shopping centre does have its own parking facilities.
  • The car park is located beneath the Bullring.
  • The car park type is underground.
  • The car park does have a height restriction barrier.
  • The maximum height of the restriction barrier is 215cm (7ft 1in).
  • The car park does have a barrier control system.
  • The car park surface is concrete.
  • There is a/are Blue Badge parking bay(s) available.
  • The designated Blue Badge parking bays are located on level -1.
  • There is a total of 1015 parking bays in the car park of which 28 are designated for the use of Blue Badge holders.
  • There are parking charges for the car park.
  • Parking is not free for Blue Badge holders.
  • To see the parking charges please click here (opens new tab).
  • Payment machines are located inside the building, in the lift lobby of the car park, on level -1 and level -2.
  • The route from the car park to the entrance is accessible to a wheelchair user unaided.
  • There is not a/are not clearly marked drop-off point(s).

Multi-Storey Designated Parking Level (Level -1)

  • There is/are 23 designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) on this level.
  • The Blue Badge bay(s) is/are clearly marked.
  • The dimensions of the designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) surveyed are 350cm x 500cm (11ft 6in x 16ft 5in).
  • There is a 120cm marked zone around the Blue Badge parking bay(s).
  • Blue Badge Parking View
    • The Blue Badge parking bays have a marked zone to both sides and rear.
  • Parent and Child Parking View
    • Clearly marked/signposted parent and child parking bays are available on this level.
    • There is/are 16 designated Parent and Child bays parking bay(s) on this level.
  • Paying View
    • Payment signs are provided.
    • Payment signs are clearly presented.
    • Payment signs are located in the lift lobby.
    • Payment term signs do make it clear if parking charges apply to Blue Badge holders.
    • Payment machines are located in the lift lobby.
    • There is not a payment machine at a convenient height for wheelchair users.
  • Access from the Car Park View
    • The pedestrian exit on this level gives access to the lift lobby.
    • The route to the pedestrian exit is accessible to a wheelchair user unaided.
    • It may be necessary to cross the path of moving vehicles between the Blue Badge parking bays and the pedestrian exit on this level.
    • The pedestrian exit is clearly visible from the car park.
    • There are marked walkways on this level to make routes safer for pedestrians.
    • The surface on the approach to the pedestrian exit is concrete.
    • The nearest designated Blue Badge parking bay is approximately 8m from the lift lobby.
    • Digital wayfinders are not available.

Exit (Centre Car Park Middle Exit)

  • Exit View
    • This information is for the exit located in the centre of the car park.
    • The exit area/door is not clearly signed internally.
    • The exit is step-free.
    • The exit door(s) does/do contrast visually with its immediate surroundings.
    • The door(s) open(s) automatically (away from you).
    • The door(s) is/are single width with a locked extension leaf.
    • The width of the opening is 108cm.

Other Floors (Centre Car Park Middle Exit)

  • Stairs can be used to access other floors.
  • The stairs are located in the centre car park middle exit area.
  • There are manual, double width, heavy doors to access the stairwell on car park levels -1 and -2.
  • The floors which are accessible by stairs are Car Pak Level -1, Car Park Level -2 and Lower Level of Bullring.
  • 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 not 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 not provided on landings.
  • The lighting levels at the steps are good.
  • Comments View
    • There is an identical set of stairs at the East Mall and West Mall Car Park exits.

Lift (Centre Car Park Middle Exit)

  • There is a lift for public use.
  • The lift is located in the centre car park middle exit area.
  • The lift is clearly visible from the entrance.
  • The lift is approximately 4m (4yd 1ft) from the centre car park middle exit.
  • There is 1 other lift in this location.
  • The other lift has very similar/identical specifications.
  • 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 Car Park Level -1, Car Park Level -2 and Lower Level of Bullring.
  • 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 fair.
  • 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 189cm x 154cm (6ft 2in x 5ft 1in).
  • There are separate entry and exit doors in the lift.
  • There is not 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.

Opening Times

  • Monday 10:30 - 19:30.
  • Tuesday 10:30 - 19:30.
  • Wednesday 10:30 - 19:30.
  • Thursday 10:30 - 19:30.
  • Friday 10:30 - 19:30.
  • Saturday 09:30 - 19:30.
  • Sunday 11:30 - 16:30.
  • Comments View
    • Scooters must be returned at least 30 minutes prior to closure.

Shopmobility

  • Manual wheelchairs are available.
  • Powered wheelchairs are available.
  • Powered scooters are available.
  • Equipment does not have to be booked in advance.
  • There is not a hire charge.
  • Escorts are normally available to assist around town / city.
  • Escorts do need to be booked in advance.

Counter (Shopmobility)

  • The counter is located on level -1 of the Centre Car Park.
  • There is step-free access to the counter.
  • There is a clear unobstructed route to the counter.
  • There are no windows, TVs, glazed screens or mirrors behind the counter which could adversely affect the ability of someone to lip read.
  • The counter is placed in front of a background which is patterned.
  • The lighting levels at the counter are good.
  • The height of the counter is 114cm .
  • There is sufficient space to write or sign documents on the counter.
  • There is a lowered section of the counter.
  • The height of the lowered section of the counter is 74cm.
  • There is sufficient space to write or sign documents on the lowered section of the counter.
  • There is not a clear knee recess beneath the low/lowered section of the counter.
  • There N/A a digital wayfinding touchscreen at the counter.
  • There is a hearing assistance system at the counter.
  • The type of system is a fixed loop.
  • The hearing assistance system is signed.
  • Staff are not trained to use the system.
  • The type of flooring in this area is tiles.
  • There is a waiting area close to the counter.
  • Access to the waiting area is unobstructed.
  • The following types of seating can be found in this area; chairs without armrests and chairs with armrests.
  • There is sufficient space for a wheelchair user to use the waiting area.
  • Comments View
    • You have to be a member to hire out the mobility aids.
    • In order to set up a membership with Shopmobility the user must provide ID containing their name and address (i.e. utility bill, bank statement etc.) and a form of photographic ID (e.g. passport, driving licence or Blue Badge).

Route from Centre Car Park to the Bullring

  • There are 3 exits from the car park; the East Mall exit, the West Mall exit and the Middle exit (photograph 1).
  • There are similar doors at all exits.
  • There are similar lifts at all exits (photograph 2).
  • There are similar stairs at all exits (photograph 3).
  • The East Mall and West Mall exit lifts give access to all levels of the Bullring.
  • The Middle exit lift only gives access to the East Mall Lower Level of the Bullring.
  • There is step-free access by using the lift throughout the car park.