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The Oracle - Holy Brook Car Park

The Oracle Shopping Centre, Reading, RG1 2AG

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Access Guide

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Getting Here

  • By Road View
    • The Oracle is in the centre of Reading, with various routes to the venue.
      For sat nav users please use the following postcodes for our car parks:
      Holy Brook Car Park, Bridge Street, RG1 2LR.
      The Riverside Car Park, Mill Lane, RG1 2AG.
    • There are two car parks available: Holy Brook and The Riverside.
  • By Bus View
  • By Train View
    • The nearest Railway Station is Reading.
    • Reading Station has connections throughout the UK and is situated just 5 minutes walk away.
      Simply exit the station through the main entrance and cross over the pedestrian crossing immediately outside.
      Turn left and follow the road straight ahead until you come to the end of the road which brings you out into Broad Street opposite John Lewis.
      Turn left and The Oracle is on the right hand side, opposite Marks and Spencer.
    • For more information on Reading Station please click here (opens new tab).

Getting Help and Assistance

  • For more information on Shopmobility 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
  • Guest Services Associates do receive training in escorting visually impaired people.
  • Escorts do need to be booked in advance.
    Trained escorts are available for people with a visual impairment.
    Visual escorts do need to be booked in advance.
    Trained escorts are available for people with a hearing impairment.
    Hearing escorts do need to be booked in advance.
  • Alternative formats of the shopping centre map are available in large print.
  • There is not an assistance dog toilet or toileting area at the venue/nearby.
  • There is not a designated place of safety which can be used by people with dementia, autism or learning disabilities.
  • The venue offers a quiet shopping experience.
  • Autism hours occur on the first Tuesday of every month, 09:30-11:30. Please call in advance for further information.
  • Water bowls for assistance dogs are available.
  • There are mobility aids available.
  • The mobility aids available include ceiling track hoists, wheelchairs, mobility scooters, motorised wheelchairs and adjustable beds.
  • To obtain mobility aids please contact the Guest Services Counter on Level 1.
  • A Shopper's Assistant is also available Monday - Wednesday to help the elderly and people with mobility problems.
    To book this service in advance contact the Guest Services Counter on Level 1.
  • Membership with Shopmobility is free.
    There is a drop off area just outside the Shopmobility.
    There is a ReadiBus stop outside the Yield Hall Entrance.
    ReadiBus is a free local disability bus.
  • At the time of survey (February 2022) Oracle Shopmobility was closed, however mobility equipment can still be provided via the Guest Services Counter on Level 1.

Multi-Storey Car Park

  • The shopping centre does have its own parking facilities.
  • The car park is located off Bridge Street.
  • The car park type is multi-storey.
  • The car park does have a height restriction barrier.
  • The maximum height of the restriction barrier is 210cm (6ft 11in).
  • The car park does have a barrier control system.
  • There is a touchscreen at the barrier.
  • The car park surface is concrete.
  • There is a/are Blue Badge parking bay(s) available.
  • Designated Blue Badge parking bays are located on Level P1, in Zones B and C.
  • There is a total of 595 parking bays in the car park of which 37 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 in the lift lobby of the car park.
  • The route from the car park to the entrance is accessible to a wheelchair user unaided.
  • There is a/are clearly marked drop-off point(s).
  • The drop-off point(s) is/are located next to Shopmobility on Level 1.
  • The route from the drop-off point(s) to the entrance is accessible to a wheelchair user unaided.
  • Comments View
    • There are 6 electric vehicle charging spaces on Level 2, which are free to use.

Multi-Storey Designated Parking Level (P1)

  • There is/are 37 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 260cm x 454cm (8ft 6in x 14ft 11in).
  • There is not 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 but not at the rear.
    • The dimensions of other designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) vary in size.
  • Parent and Child Parking View
    • Clearly marked/signposted parent and child parking bays are available on this level.
    • There is/are 23 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 at the payment machines in the car park.
    • Payment term signs do not 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 nearest designated Blue Badge parking bay is approximately 7m from the lift lobby.

Other Floors (Central Stairs)

  • Stairs can be used to access other floors.
  • The stairs are located at the centre of the shopping centre, opposite NatWest.
  • The floors which are accessible by stairs are are Holy Brook Walk (Level 1), Town Walk (Level 2), Holy Brook Car Park Level 1 and Holy Brook Car Park Level 2.
  • 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 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 not extend horizontally beyond the first and last steps.
  • There is a landing.
  • Clear signs indicating the facilities on each floor are provided on landings.
  • The lighting levels at the steps are good.

Lift

  • There is a lift for public use.
  • The lift is located on both levels of Holy Brook Car Park and on Holy Brook Walk (Lower Mall).
  • The lift is clearly visible from the entrance.
  • 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 Holy Brook Walk (Level 1), Holy Brook Car Park Level 1 and Holy Brook Car Park Level 2.
  • 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 poor.
  • The colour contrast between the external lift control plate and the wall is good.
  • The clear door width is 120cm (3ft 11in).
  • The dimensions of the lift are 195cm x 175cm (6ft 5in x 5ft 9in).
  • There are no separate entry and exit doors in the lift.
  • There is not a mirror to aid reversing out of the lift.
  • There is 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 not within 90cm - 120cm from the floor.
  • The height of the lift controls are within 110cm - 125cm from the floor.
  • There is not a hearing loop system.
  • The lift does have Braille markings.
  • The lift does have tactile markings.
  • The lighting levels in the lift are good.

Accessible Toilet(s)

  • There is not an/are not accessible toilet(s) available.
  • The nearest accessible toilet(s) is/are located on Holy Brook Walk - Level 1.

Standard Toilet(s)

  • Standard toilet facilities are not available.
  • The nearest standard toilet(s) is/are located on Holy Brook Walk - Level 1.

The Oracle