You are on Introduction. Skip to the next section.

Introduction

• Services / facilities within the building include Ground Floor - Ernest Jones, Hotel Chocolat, Goldsmiths, Monsoon, Accessorize, EE, Recover, Claires, New Look, Barclays, Marks and Spencer, Boots Opticians, Validate, Clarks, Clinton Cards, Fat Face, H&M, JD Sports, Pandora, Roman, Ray Mia, Card Factory, Vodafone, WH Smith, Boots and Wenzel's The Bakery.
  1st Floor - Toni & Guy, TUI, Grape Tree, Muffin Break, H&M, O2, Rail Booking Office, The Kiosk, The Entertainer, Anytime Fitness, Repairs Plus, Starbucks and Management Suite.

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 Welwyn Garden City.

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 not free for all users.
  • Parking is not free for Blue Badge holders.
  • The car park is located at the south end of the shopping centre.
  • The car park type is multi storey.
  • There is/are 10+ Blue Badge parking bay(s) within the car park.
  • The dimensions of the Blue Badge parking bay(s) are 380cm x 495cm (12ft 6in x 16ft 3in).
  • The nearest Blue Badge bay is 22m (24yd 2in) from the first floor car park entrance.
  • The furthest Blue Badge bay is 45m (49yd 8in) from the first floor car park entrance.
  • The route from the car park to the entrance is accessible to a wheelchair user with assistance.
  • Assistance may be required because there is/are slopes/ramps.
  • The car park surface is tarmac.
  • There is a road to cross between the car park and the entrance.
  • The road is generally busy.
  • The car park does have a height restriction barrier.
  • The maximum height is 200cm (6ft 7in).
• Drop-off Point View
  • There is a designated drop off point.
  • The drop off point is located on the basement level, along the service road.
• Comments View
  • There are 725 parking spaces in the car park and parking is over 8 levels.
    
  • The spaces for Blue Badge holders are all located on level 1 of the car park.
    
  • There are a number of parent and child parking spaces which are located on levels 3, 5 and 7.
    
  • Help points are located on levels 3, 5 and 7 and at all pay stations and barrier points.
    
  • Entry to the car park is from 04.00 to 20.00 hours, Monday to Saturday and from 06.00 to 20.00 hours on Sunday.
    
  • The car park pay stations only accept cash payments.
    
  • The pay stations are located near Dorothy Perkins on the ground floor and on the first floor.
    
  • The photographs also show the route from the Blue Badge parking bays to the entrance located on level 1.

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

Outside Access (Main Entrance)

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• Entrance View
  • This information is for the entrance located on Fretherne Road.
  • There is ramped/sloped or stepped access at this entrance.
  • The main door(s) open(s) automatically.
  • The door(s) is/are double width.
  • The width of the door opening is 223cm.
• Ramp/Slope View
  • The ramp/slope is located both sides of the entrance.
  • The gradient of the ramp/slope is slight.
  • The ramp/slope is permanent.
  • There is a level landing at the top of the ramp/slope.
  • There is not a/are not handrail(s) at the ramp.
  • The ramp/slope does bypass the step(s).
• Step(s) View
  • The step(s) is/are located in front of the entrance.
  • There is/are 5 step(s).
  • The step(s) is/are clearly marked.
  • The height of the step(s) is/are between 15cm and 18cm.
  • The height of the step(s) is/are 17cm.
  • There is a/are handrail(s) at the step(s).
  • The handrail(s) is/are 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 second lower handrail.
  • The lighting levels at the step(s) are moderate to good.
• Comments View
  • Either side of the automatic doors are single doors, which are power operated, open towards you and are 89cm wide.

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

Outside Access (North Entrance)

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• Entrance View
  • This information is for the entrance located off Stonebank.
  • There is ramped/sloped or stepped access at this entrance.
  • The main door(s) open(s) automatically (towards you).
  • The door(s) is/are double width.
  • The width of the door opening is 176cm.
• Ramp/Slope View
  • The ramp/slope is located to the left of the entrance.
  • The gradient of the ramp/slope is steep.
  • The ramp/slope is permanent.
  • There is a level landing at the top of the ramp/slope.
  • There is a/are handrail(s) at the ramp.
  • The handrail(s) is/are on both sides.
  • The ramp/slope does bypass the step(s).
• Step(s) View
  • The step(s) is/are located in front of the entrance.
  • There is/are 6 step(s).
  • The step(s) is/are clearly marked.
  • The height of the step(s) is/are not between 15cm and 18cm.
  • The height of the step(s) is/are 12cm.
  • There is a/are handrail(s) at the step(s).
  • The handrail(s) is/are 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.
• Comments View
  • To the right, as you face the automatic doors, are 4 sets of double doors, which open both ways and are heavy.
    
  • The width of the doors are 190cm.

You are on Outside Access (Rail Station Entrance - Level 1). Skip to the next section.

Outside Access (Rail Station Entrance - Level 1)

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• Entrance View
  • This information is for the entrance located leading from the rail station, on the first floor.
  • There is ramped/sloped or stepped access at this entrance.
  • The main door(s) open(s) automatically (towards you).
  • The door(s) is/are double width.
  • The width of the door opening is 169cm.
• Ramp/Slope View
  • The ramp/slope is located to the left of the entrance.
  • The gradient of the ramp/slope is steep.
  • The ramp/slope is permanent.
  • There is a level landing at the top of the ramp/slope.
  • There is a/are handrail(s) at the ramp.
  • The handrail(s) is/are on both sides.
  • The width of the ramp/slope is 140cm (4ft 7in).
  • The ramp/slope does bypass the step(s).
• Step(s) View
  • The step(s) is/are located in front of the entrance.
  • There is/are 10 step(s).
  • The step(s) is/are not clearly marked.
  • The height of the step(s) is/are between 15cm and 18cm.
  • The height of the step(s) is/are 16cm.
  • There is a/are handrail(s) at the step(s).
  • The handrail(s) is/are 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 second lower handrail.

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

Outside Access (Car Park Entrance)

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• Entrance View
  • This information is for the entrance located on level 1 of the car park.
  • There is ramped/sloped access at this entrance.
  • The main door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
  • The door(s) may be difficult to open.
  • The door(s) is/are double width.
  • The width of the door opening is 149cm.
  • There is a second set of doors.
  • The door(s) open(s) automatically (towards you).
  • The door(s) is/are double width.
  • The width of the door opening is 150cm.
• Ramp/Slope View
  • The ramp/slope is located to the left of the entrance.
  • The gradient of the ramp/slope is slight.
  • The ramp/slope is permanent.
  • There is a level landing at the top of the ramp/slope.
  • There is a/are handrail(s) at the ramp.
  • The handrail(s) is/are on both sides.
  • The width of the ramp/slope is 133cm (4ft 4in).

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

Inside Access

• There is level access to the service(s).
• There is not a hearing assistance system.
• This venue does play background music.
• Music is played throughout the shopping centre.
• Motorised scooters are welcomed in public parts of the venue.
• The lighting levels are good.

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 B, G, 1, 3, 5, 7.
  • There are 15+ steps between floors.
  • The steps are clearly marked.
  • The steps are medium height (11cm - 17cm).
  • The steps do have handrails.
  • The steps have a handrail on both sides.
  • There is a landing.
  • The lighting levels are good.
• Escalators View
  • Escalator(s) can be used to access other floors.
  • The floors which are accessible by escalator are G, 1.
  • The escalators steps are not clearly marked.
  • The foot and head of the escalators are not clearly marked.
  • The lighting levels are good.
• Comments View
  • There is an additional set of escalators located at the north end of the Howard Centre opposite Marks and Spencer.
  • These escalators only allow access between the ground floor and the upper mall.

You are on Lift. Skip to the next section.

Lift

• There is a lift for public use.
• The lift is located at the south end of the Howard Centre.
• The lift is a standard lift.
• The floors which are accessible by this lift are B, G, 1, 3, 5, 7.
• The lift is approximately 38m (41yd 1ft) from the main entrance.
• Staff do not need to be notified for use of the lift.
• The clear door width is 108cm (3ft 7in).
• The dimensions of the lift are 150cm x 140cm (4ft 11in x 4ft 7in).
• 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 have a visual floor indicator.
• The lift does have an audible announcer.
• The controls for the lift are within 90cm - 120cm from the floor.
• The lift does not have Braille markings.
• The lift does have tactile markings.
• The lighting level in the lift is good.

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• Comments View
  • There is an additional lift located at the north end of the Howard Centre (photographs 5 and 6).
  • The lift only allows access between the ground floor and the upper mall (level 1).
  • The basement level is only for accessing the drop-off point, which is underneath the Howard Centre on the service road.
  • The main lifts are closed at 19.15 daily and access to the car park levels after this time is only by stairs.

You are on Accessible Toilet (First Floor - Left Hand Transfer Male - Right Hand Transfer Female). Skip to the next section.

Accessible Toilet (First Floor - Left Hand Transfer Male - Right Hand Transfer Female)

• 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 30m (32yd 2ft) from the lift.
  • This accessible toilet is located on the first floor.
  • There is level access to this accessible toilet.
• Features and Dimensions View
  • This is not 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 centre management or security staff.
  • The door opens outwards.
  • The door is locked by a locking handle.
  • The width of the accessible toilet door is 85cm (2ft 9in).
  • The door is easy to open.
  • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 214cm x 196cm (7ft x 6ft 5in).
  • 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 left.
  • The lateral transfer space is 143cm (4ft 8in).
  • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
  • There is a flush, however it is not 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 a/are sanitary and non-infectious waste disposal units.
  • 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 48cm (1ft 7in).
  • There is a hand dryer.
  • The hand dryer cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
  • The hand dryer is not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
  • There is not a towel dispenser.
  • 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 cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
  • The wash basin is not placed higher than 74cm (2ft 5in).
• Colour Contrast and Lighting View
  • There is a high colour contrast between the external door and wall.
  • There is a high colour contrast between the internal door and wall.
  • There is a medium colour contrast between the wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall.
  • There is a low colour contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall.
  • There is a medium colour contrast between the walls and floor.
  • The lighting levels are good.
• Comments View
  • There are name and female toilets located next to each other.
    
  • The male toilet is left hand transfer and the female is right hand transfer.
    
  • The second accessible toilet is a mirror image of the toilet surveyed and the transfer space is on the right (photographs 5 to 8).

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

Standard Toilet(s) (First Floor)

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• Availability and Location of Standard Toilets View
  • Standard toilet facilities are available.
• Access to Standard Female Toilet(s) View
  • The female toilet facilities that were surveyed are located on the first floor.
  • The female toilet(s) is/are approximately 28m (30yd 1ft) from the lift.
  • Inside the venue, there is level access to the female toilet(s).
  • Lighting levels in the female toilets are good.
• Access to Standard Male Toilet(s) View
  • The male toilet facilities that were surveyed are located on the first floor.
  • The male toilet(s) is/are approximately 22m (24yd 2in) from the lift.
  • Inside the venue, there is level access to the male toilet(s).
  • Lighting levels in the male toilets are good.

You are on Parent and Baby Room (First Floor). Skip to the next section.

Parent and Baby Room (First Floor)

• There is a parent and baby room for public use.
• The parent and baby room is located on the first floor, past the accessible toilets.
• The parent and baby room is approximately 40m from the first floor lift exit.
• There is step-free access to the parent and baby room.
• Staff do not need to be notified for use of the room.
• There is written text signage on or near the parent and baby room door.
• The baby change table is not set against the wall, permanently fixed at 75cm from the floor.
• The baby change table is not height adjustable.
• The height of the baby change table once extended is 95cm (3ft 1in).
• There are disposal facilities in the parent and baby room.
• There is a wash basin in the parent and baby room.
• The height of the wash basin is 84cm.
• The wash basin tap type is twist/turn.
• There is a/are chair(s) in the parent and baby room.
• There is not a chair with armrests on both sides.
• There is not a toilet in the parent and baby room.
• There is not a red flashing fire alarm beacon within the room.
• The lighting levels are moderate to good.

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

Additional Info

• Documents are not available in Braille.
• Documents are not 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.