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Grand Central

Bullring and Grand Central, Birmingham, B5 4BU

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Access Guide

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Overview - Bullring and Grand Central

  • About View
    • This is an indoor shopping centre.
    • The shopping centre has 3 levels.
    • Access between floors is via lift, stairs and escalators.
    • Customer/guest information points are not available.
    • A play area for children is not available.
    • View information on opening times.
  • Parking and Public Transport View
    • The shopping centre has its own car park, with Blue Badge parking available.
    • There are 4 car parks in total and 4 have Blue Badge parking available.
    • Car parks with Blue Badge parking have step-free level access to the shopping centre.
    • The nearest train station is Birmingham New Street.
    • This station has step-free access.
    • The nearest overground station is Birmingham Moor Street.
    • This overground station has step-free access.
    • For the latest travel options and information you can plan your travel using Traveline (opens new tab).
  • Getting Help and Assistance View
    • Seating is available.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system.
    • You can borrow or hire the following equipment: a manual wheelchair, an electric wheelchair and a mobility scooter.
    • View more information on borrowing or hiring equipment (opens new tab).
    • There is a designated safe space which can be used by people with dementia, autism or learning disabilities.
    • The designated safe space is located at the Birmingham Mind Wellbeing Hub on Link Street.
    • This venue does not offer a quiet shopping experience.
    • There is not a water bowl available for assistance dogs.
    • There is not a designated assistance dog spending area.

Toilet and Changing Facilities (Bullring and Grand Central)

  • Toilet Facilities View
    • There are 11 toilets with adaptations.
    • The toilets with adaptations are located on all 3 levels of the East and West Malls in the Bullring and on level 2 of Grand Central.
    • The transfer space varies between toilets with adaptations.
    • Ambulant toilet facilities are located within the standard male and female toilets.
    • Female and male step-free standard toilet facilities are located on all 3 levels of the East and West Malls in the Bullring and on level 2 of Grand Central.
  • Changing Places Facilities View
    • Changing Places facilities are located on level 2 of the East Mall in the Bullring and on level 2 in Grand Central.
  • Changing Facilities View
    • Parent and baby changing facilities are located on all 3 levels of the East and West Malls in the Bullring and on level 2 of Grand Central.

Parking (Grand Central)

  • Car Park View
    • The car park is located off Hill Street.
    • The car park is multi-storey.
    • The car park surface consists of tarmac and concrete.
    • The height of the restriction barrier is 210cm.
    • There are 23 designated Blue Badge parking bays available.
    • The Blue Badge bays are clearly marked and signposted.
    • The surveyed Blue Badge parking bay dimensions are 230cm (width) x 470cm (depth).
    • There is a marked zone to both sides but not at the rear.
    • The width of the marked zone is 120cm.
    • The nearest designated bay is 9m from the lifts.
    • The most accessible route from the Blue Badge parking has step-free level access.
    • There is a manual door along the most accessible route.
  • Charges and Restrictions View
  • Electric Vehicle Charging Points View
    • Electric Vehicle charging points are not available.
  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop-off point available.

Entrance (New Street Station)

  • This entrance is located in New Street.
  • The approach to the entrance has bollards.
  • The entrance area is clearly signed.
  • There is a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at the entrance.
  • There is step-free access via a very easy slope or ramp at the entrance.
  • There are double automatic doors.
  • The doors are permanently held open.
  • The width of the opening is 189cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
  • The doors have a low colour contrast.
  • There is a push pad or push button to exit at a height of 52cm.

Entrance (Navigation Street)

  • This entrance is located in Navigation Street.
  • The approach to the entrance has bollards.
  • The entrance area is clearly signed.
  • There is a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at the entrance.
  • There is step-free level access at the entrance.
  • There are double automatic doors.
  • The doors are permanently held open.
  • The width of the opening is 192cm.
  • The doors have a low colour contrast.

Lift (New Street Station to Grand Central)

  • The lift surveyed is located directly ahead of the Navigation Street entrance.
  • The distance from the Navigation Street entrance is 7m.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access.
  • There are no doors to open along the most accessible route.
  • Standard Lift View
    • Level 2 can be accessed by this lift.
    • The lift door has a low colour contrast.
    • The lift has a level manoeuvring space in front of it for a wheelchair user (150cm x 150cm).
    • The weight limit for the lift is 1275kg.
    • The control buttons have a low colour contrast.
    • All of the external lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
    • The lift door opening width is 110cm.
    • The internal dimensions of the lift are 120cm (width) x 230cm (depth).
    • The internal lift control buttons have tactile and Braille markings.
    • The control buttons have a low colour contrast.
    • All of the internal lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
    • Internally the lift has: a list of floor services/facilities, a visual floor indicator and an audible announcer.
    • Lighting levels vary due to the use of large glazed walls.

Stairs (New Street Station to Grand Central)

  • The stairs are located to the right as you enter from the Navigation Street entrance.
  • Level 2 can be accessed by these stairs.
  • There are handrails on both sides, which are within reach.
  • The handrails are easy to grip.
  • The handrails cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
  • The handrails do not extend horizontally beyond the first and last step.
  • The steps are clearly marked.
  • The height of the steps is between 15cm and 18cm.
  • The height of the highest step is 17cm.
  • The depth of the steps is not between 30cm and 45cm.
  • Lighting levels vary due to the use of large glazed walls.

Escalators (New Street Station to Grand Central)

  • The escalators surveyed are located inside the Navigation Street entrance.
  • Level 2 can be accessed by escalator.
  • The steps are clearly marked.
  • The foot (bottom) and head (top) of the escalators are clearly marked.
  • Lighting levels vary due to the use of large glazed walls.

Entrance (Bullring Link Steet to Grand Central Station)

  • This entrance is located on level 2 of the Bullring.
  • The entrance area is not clearly signed.
  • There is step-free level access at the entrance.

Getting Around

  • Access View
    • There is step-free level access throughout all areas.
  • Circulation View
    • There are no doors to open along circulation routes.
    • Access throughout may include permanent physical obstructions.
    • The contrast between the walls and floor varies between low and high along circulation routes.
    • Some flooring is shiny and patterned.
    • There is background noise.
    • Wayfinding signage is not provided.
    • Seating available in the walkways includes: stools.
    • Lighting levels vary due to the size of the space.

Changing Places (Transfer Both Sides)

  • Location and Access View
    • The Changing Places facility surveyed is located on level 2, to the left as you enter the toilet facilities area.
    • The Changing Places toilet is in addition to other toilet facilities.
    • There is a sign at the entrance to the Changing Places facility indicating the location of the nearest toilets and baby changing facilities.
    • The distance from the lift is 18m.
    • The most accessible route to the Changing Places facility has step-free level access.
    • There are no doors to open along the most accessible route.
    • There is step-free level access into the facility.
    • There is Braille, tactile and pictorial signage on or near the door.
    • A RADAR key is required for access to this facility.
    • The door opens outwards and has a high colour contrast.
    • The door is easy to open.
    • The width of the opening is 98cm.
    • The door has a locking handle (with a RADAR key to access).
    • Internally the door has a high colour contrast.
    • There is a grab rail on the internal door, with a high colour contrast.
    • The dimensions of the facility are 396cm (width) x 295cm (depth).
    • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (180cm x 180cm).
  • Toilet Details View
    • There is lateral transfer space on both sides of the toilet, however they are obstructed.
    • The lateral transfer space on the left is 82cm (from the side of the toilet pan).
    • The lateral transfer space on the right is 127cm (from the side of the toilet pan).
    • There is a spatula flush for the toilet.
    • The flush is on the right transfer side.
    • There is no horizontal grab rail for the toilet.
    • There are vertical grab rails on both sides of the toilet.
    • The vertical grab rails have a high colour contrast.
    • There are dropdown grab rails on both sides of the toilet.
    • The dropdown grab rails have a high colour contrast.
    • The toilet seat is 48cm from the floor.
    • The toilet seat has a low colour contrast.
    • The toilet roll holder has a low colour contrast.
    • The toilet roll holder is 100cm from the floor.
  • Changing Bench and Hoist Details View
    • The changing bench is wall mounted and height adjustable.
    • The length of the changing bench is 180cm.
    • The facility hoist is powered overhead and accesses all areas.
  • Other Facilities View
    • There is a height adjustable wash basin.
    • The wash basin has a lever mixer tap.
    • There are no vertical grab rails at the wash basin.
    • There is a wall mounted soap dispenser.
    • The soap dispenser has a high colour contrast.
    • The soap dispenser is 113cm from the floor.
    • There is not a towel dispenser.
    • A wide paper roll dispenser is not available.
    • There is a wall mounted hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer has a low colour contrast.
    • The hand dryer is 108cm from the floor.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm, however it is not within 10cm from the floor.
    • There is a long mirror.
    • There is no shelf.
    • The cubicle has a nappy/incontinence items bin and a sanitary bin.
    • There are multiple coat hooks.
    • The coat hooks are 100cm and 160cm from the floor.
    • A privacy screen is not available.
    • The walls and floor have a high colour contrast.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey, with unshaded light sources.

Toilet with Adaptations (Right Hand Transfer)

  • Location View
    • The toilet surveyed is located on level 2, directly ahead as you enter the toilet facilities area.
    • The distance from the lift is 14m.
  • Route View
    • The most accessible route to the toilet has step-free level access.
    • There are no doors to open along the most accessible route.
  • Access View
    • There is step-free level access into the facility.
    • There is pictorial signage on or near the door.
    • The door opens outwards and has a high colour contrast.
    • The door is easy to open.
    • The width of the opening is 96cm.
    • The door has a locking handle (with a RADAR key to access).
    • Internally the door has a high colour contrast.
    • There is a grab rail on the internal door, with a high colour contrast.
  • Dimensions and Features View
    • The dimensions of the cubicle are 217cm (width) x 270cm (depth).
    • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
    • There is a lateral transfer space to the right as you face the toilet.
    • The lateral transfer space is 144cm (from the side of the toilet pan).
    • There is a push button flush for the toilet.
    • The flush is on the wall above the cistern.
    • There is a horizontal grab rail on the non-transfer side.
    • The horizontal grab rail has a high colour contrast.
    • There is a vertical grab rail on the transfer side.
    • The vertical grab rail has a high colour contrast.
    • There is a dropdown grab rail on the transfer side.
    • The dropdown grab rail has a high colour contrast.
    • The toilet seat is 45cm from the floor.
    • The toilet seat has a high colour contrast.
    • The toilet has a padded backrest.
    • The toilet roll holder cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The toilet roll holder has a medium colour contrast.
    • The toilet roll holder is 97cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin has a lever mixer tap.
    • The wash basin and tap can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is 72cm from the floor.
    • There are vertical grab rails on both sides of the wash basin.
    • The wash basin grab rails have a high colour contrast.
    • There is a wall mounted soap dispenser.
    • The soap dispenser can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The soap dispenser has a high colour contrast.
    • The soap dispenser is 104cm from the floor.
    • There is not a towel dispenser.
    • There is a wall mounted hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer has a low colour contrast.
    • The hand dryer is 106cm from the floor.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm, however it is not within 10cm from the floor.
    • There is a mirror.
    • There is no shelf.
    • The cubicle has a nappy/incontinence items bin and a sanitary bin.
    • There are multiple coat hooks.
    • The coat hooks are 106cm and 166cm from the floor.
    • The walls and floor have a high colour contrast.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey, with unshaded light sources.

Parent and Baby Room / Feeding Room

  • The room is located on level 2, to the left as you enter the toilet facilities area.
  • The distance from the lift is 18m.
  • The most accessible route to the room has step-free level access.
  • There are no doors to open along the most accessible route.
  • There is Braille, tactile and pictorial signage on or near the door.
  • There is step-free level access into the room.
  • There is a single automatic door, which is push pad activated.
  • The height of the push pad is 110cm.
  • The door opens by sliding.
  • The width of the opening is 118cm.
  • The door has a low colour contrast.
  • Internally the door has a low colour contrast.
  • The height of the baby change facility when in use is 73cm.
  • There is also a wash basin, a hand dryer, a mirror and a shelf in the room.
  • The wash basin has a sensor tap.
  • The room has a nappy/incontinence items bin.
  • Seating available in this room includes: armchairs.
  • The walls and floor have a high colour contrast.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey, with unshaded light sources.