Access Guide
Introduction
- Services / facilities within the building include Ground Floor - Ernest Jones, Goldsmiths, Monsoon, Accessorize, H Samuel, EE, AnnA, Claires, New Look, Barclays, Marks and Spencer, Boots Opticians, Top Shop, Clarks, Clinton Cards, Fat Face, H&M, JD Sports, Sony Centre, Roman, Bags Etc, Card Factory, Vodafone, Next, WH Smith, Boots, Burton, Dorothy Perkins, Carphone Warehouse and Muffin Break. 1st Floor - Toni & Guy, Socialites, Thompson, Elegance 4U, Thomas Cook, Stevenson & Parker, Grape Tree, Supercuts, Muffin Break, H&M, O2, Rail Booking Office, The Shaken Cow, The Kiosk, The Entertainer, Shopmobility, Anytime Fitness, Repairs Plus, Starbucks and Management Suite.
Location
- There is a bus stop within 150m (164yds) of the venue.
- The nearest National Rail station is Welwyn Garden City.
COVID-19 Information
- The information in this section was taken in March 2021.
- For more information about the measures in place for Covid-19 please click here (new tab) .
Opening Hours
Parking
- The venue does have its own car park.
- Parking is not free for all users.
- Parking is not free for Blue Badge holders.
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Venue Car Park
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- The car park is located at the south end of the shopping centre.
- The car park type is multi storey.
- Parking spaces for Blue Badge holders do not need to be booked in advance.
- There is/are 10+ Blue Badge parking bay(s) within the car park.
- The dimensions of the Blue Badge parking bay(s) are 420cm x 600cm (13ft 9in x 19ft 8in).
- 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).
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On Street Parking and Drop-off Details.
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- There is a designated drop off point.
- The drop off point is located on the basement level, along the service road.
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Comments
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- 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 opposite Shopmobility on the first floor.
- The photographs also show the route from the Blue Badge parking bays to the entrance located on level 1.
COVID-19 Information
Outside Access (Main Entrance)
- This information is for the entrance located on Fretherne Road.
- There is not level access into the venue.
- The main door(s) open(s) automatically.
- The door(s) is / are double.
- The width of the door opening is 220cm (7ft 3in).
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Comments
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- Either side of the automatic doors are single doors, which are power operated, open towards you and are 96cm wide.
Level Change (Main Entrance)
- There is a ramp or slope to access this service.
- The ramp or slope is located either side of the entrance.
- The ramp or slope is moderate.
- There is a / are step(s) to access this area / service.
- The step(s) is/are located in front of the entrance.
- There is / are 5 step(s) to the area / service.
- There is not tactile paving at the top and bottom of the steps.
- The step(s) is / are not clearly marked.
- The step(s) is / are medium height.
- The steps do have handrails.
- The handrails are in the centre.
- The ramp or slope does bypass the step(s).
Outside Access (North Entrance)
- This information is for the entrance located off the bus station.
- There is not level access into the venue.
- The main door(s) open(s) automatically.
- The door(s) is / are double.
- The width of the door opening is 170cm (5ft 7in).
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Comments
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- To the right, as you face the automatic doors, are 4 sets of double doors, which open both ways, are heavy and are 170cm wide.
Level Change (North Entrance)
- There is a ramp or slope to access this service.
- The ramp or slope is located to the left as you face the entrance.
- The ramp or slope is moderate.
- The ramp does have handrails.
- The handrails are on the right going up.
- The width of the ramp or slope is 140cm (4ft 7in).
- There is a / are step(s) to access this area / service.
- The step(s) is/are located in front of the entrance.
- There is / are 6 step(s) to the area / service.
- There is not tactile paving at the top and bottom of the steps.
- The step(s) is / are clearly marked.
- The step(s) is / are medium height.
- The steps do have handrails.
- The handrails are on both sides.
- The ramp or slope does bypass the step(s).
Outside Access (Rail Station Entrance - Level 1)
- This information is for the entrance located leading from the rail station, on the first floor.
- There is not level access into the venue.
- The main door(s) open(s) automatically.
- The door(s) is / are double.
- The width of the door opening is 170cm (5ft 7in).
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Second set of doors
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- There is a second set of doors.
- The door(s) open(s) automatically.
- The door(s) is / are double.
- The width of the door opening is 170cm (5ft 7in).
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Comments
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- There are 2 sets of doors side by side.
Level Change (Rail Station Entrance - Level 1)
- There is a ramp or slope to access this service.
- The ramp or slope is located to the left as you face the entrance.
- The ramp or slope is moderate.
- There is a level landing at the top of the ramp.
- The ramp does have handrails.
- The handrails are on both sides.
- The width of the ramp or slope is 140cm (4ft 7in).
- There is a / are step(s) to access this area / service.
- The step(s) is/are located in front of the entrance.
- There is / are 10 step(s) to the area / service.
- There is not tactile paving at the top and bottom of the steps.
- The step(s) is / are not clearly marked.
- The step(s) is / are medium height.
- The steps do have handrails.
- The handrails are on both sides.
- The ramp or slope does bypass the step(s).
Outside Access (Car Park Entrance)
- This information is for the entrance located on level 1 of the car park.
- There is not level access into the venue.
- The main door(s) open(s) automatically.
- The door(s) is / are double.
- The width of the door opening is 170cm (5ft 7in).
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Second set of doors
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- There is a second set of doors.
- The door(s) open(s) automatically.
- The door(s) is / are double.
- The width of the door opening is 170cm (5ft 7in).
Level Change (Car Park Entrance)
- There is a ramp or slope to access this service.
- The ramp or slope is located between the car park and the entrance.
- The ramp or slope is easy.
- There is a level landing at the top of the ramp.
- The ramp does have handrails.
- The handrails are on both sides.
- The width of the ramp or slope is 120cm (3ft 11in).
Inside Access
- There is level access to the service.
- There is not a hearing assistance system.
- This venue does play background music.
- Music is played throughout the shopping centre.
- Motorised scooters are allowed in public parts of the venue.
- The lighting levels are bright.
Other Floors
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Steps
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- 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 (11cm - 17cm).
- The steps do have handrails.
- The steps have a handrail on both sides.
- There is a landing.
- The lighting levels are bright.
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Escalators
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- 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 bright.
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Comments
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- 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.
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 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 bright.
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Comments
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- There is an additional lift located at the north end of the Howard Centre between the shops AnnA and Claire's.
- 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.
Shopmobility
- Route maps are not available.
- 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 not normally available to assist around town / city.
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Comments
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- Shopmobility is located on the first floor.
- Shopmobility has free electric scooter and manual wheelchair hire.
- Visitors would be required to register with the centre and they will then be given a membership card for all future visits.
- The contact telephone number for Shopmobility is 01707 336 688.
- Staff from Shopmobility are available to meet visitors in the car park, drop off point (basement level) and the taxi ranks.
- Shopmobility is open 10.30 to 16.30 Monday to Saturday.
Accessible Toilet
- Accessible toilet facilities are available.
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Location and Access
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- The toilet is for the sole use of disabled people.
- This accessible toilet is approximately 13m (14yd 8in) from the lift.
- This accessible toilet is located on the first floor.
- There is level access to this accessible toilet.
- This is by lift.
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Features and Dimensions
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- This is a unisex 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 light.
- The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 190cm x 210cm (6ft 3in x 6ft 11in).
- 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 145cm (4ft 9in).
- 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 a/are coat hook(s).
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Position of Fixtures
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- 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).
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Colour Contrast and Lighting
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- The contrast between the external door and wall is good.
- The contrast between the internal door and wall is good.
- The contrast between the wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is good.
- The contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall is good.
- The contrast between the walls and floor is good.
- The lighting levels are bright.
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Comments
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- There are 2 accessible toilets located side by side.
- The second accessible toilet is a mirror image of the toilet surveyed and the transfer space is on the right.
Standard Toilet(s)
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Availability and Location of Standard Toilets
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- Standard toilet facilities are available.
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Access to Standard Female Toilet(s)
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- The female toilet facilities that were surveyed are located on the first floor.
- The female toilet(s) is/are 28m (30yd 1ft) from the lift.
- Inside the venue, there is level access to the female toilet(s).
- This is by lift.
- Lighting levels are bright.
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Access to Standard Male Toilet(s)
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- The male toilet facilities that were surveyed are located on the first floor.
- The male toilet(s) is/are 22m (24yd 2in) from the lift.
- Inside the venue, there is level access to the male toilet(s).
- This is by lift.
- Lighting levels are bright.
Baby Change Facilities
- Baby change facilities are located within the venue.
- The baby change facilities are located on the first floor, past the accessible toilets.
- Baby change facilities are located within a mother and baby room.
- The height of the baby change table once extended is 94cm (3ft 1in).
- Inside the venue, there is level access to the baby change facility.
- This is by lift.
Additional Info
- Staff do receive disability awareness / equality training.
- 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.