Access Guide
Introduction
- Services / facilities within the building include a performance space, and bar.
- The main entrance off Compton Terrace is generally used by guests, although there is a side entrance for step-free access to the bar via stair lift, which may be used at the discretion of staff. There is alternative step-free access to the rear of the building off Compton Avenue, also available at the discretion of staff, usually used by performers.
- During events, stewards are always at hand to provide assistance. Also during events, all doorways into and inside the building are usually permanently held open.
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Comments
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- Inside the Chapel all seating is unreserved in fixed pews arranged on the ground floor, and also an upper level 'The Gallery'.
- There is only stepped access to The Gallery.
- For general information about accessibility at Union Chapel, click here (opens in a new tab).
Location
- There is a bus stop within 150m (164yds) of the venue.
- The nearest National Rail station is Highbury & Islington.
- The nearest underground station is Highbury & Islington.
Opening Times
- Opening times for the venue vary according to bookings/events taking place.
- Please click here for information on opening times.
Parking
- The venue does not have its own car park.
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Public Car Parks
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- There is not a car park for public use within 200m (approx).
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On Street Blue Badge Parking
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- On street marked Blue Badge bays are available.
- The dimensions of the marked Blue Badge bays are 198cm x 638cm (6ft 6in x 20ft 11in).
- On street Blue Badge parking is located at the rear of the venue, on Compton Avenue.
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On Street Standard Parking
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- Clearly signed and / or standard marked parking bays are available.
- Standard marked parking bays are located at the front of the venue, on Compton Terrace.
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Drop-off Point
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- There is not a designated drop off point.
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Comments
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- There are 2 Blue Badge parking bays available.
- The on street standard parking bays are 186cm wide.
- It is common practice for visitors to be dropped off outside the main entrance on Compton Terrace.
Outside Access (Main Entrance)
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Entrance
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- This information is for the entrance located at the front of the building, off Compton Terrace.
- There is ramped/sloped or stepped access at this entrance.
- The main door(s) open(s) by sliding.
- The door(s) is/are permanently held open.
- The door(s) is/are single width.
- The width of the door opening is 151cm.
- There is a small lip on the threshold of the entrance, with a height of 2cm or below.
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Ramp/Slope
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- The ramp/slope is located in front of the entrance.
- The gradient of the ramp/slope is steep.
- The ramp/slope is portable.
- Please contact the steward on the door (for an event) for use of the portable ramp.
- There is not a/are not handrail(s) at the ramp.
- The width of the ramp/slope is 94cm (3ft 1in).
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Step(s)
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- The step(s) is/are located in front of the entrance.
- There is/are 3 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 15cm.
- 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.
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Comments
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- For events, there is a priority queue for customers with accessible requirements.
Entrance (Chapel from Main Entrance)
- This information is for the entrance located to the left or right after the main entrance.
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Entrance
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- There is step-free access at this entrance.
- The main door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
- The door(s) is/are double width.
- The door(s) is/are permanently held open.
- The width of the door opening is 119cm.
- There is a second set of doors.
- The door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
- The door(s) is/are double width.
- The door(s) is/are permanently held open.
- The width of the door opening is 113cm.
Outside Access (Left Hand Entrance)
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Entrance
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- This information is for the entrance located to the left of the main entrance off Compton Terrace.
- 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 single width.
- The width of the door opening is 135cm.
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Ramp/Slope
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- The ramp/slope is located in front of the entrance.
- The gradient of the ramp/slope is slight.
- The ramp/slope is permanent.
- There is not a level landing at the top of the ramp/slope.
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Comments
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- During events, visitors on a pre-arranged access list may be directed to this entrance.
Outside Access (Compton Avenue Entrance)
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Entrance
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- This information is for the entrance located off Compton Avenue.
- There is ramped/sloped access at this entrance.
- There is an intercom.
- The height of the intercom is 157cm (5ft 2in).
- The main door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
- The door(s) may be difficult to open.
- The door(s) is/are single width.
- The width of the door opening is 114cm.
- There is a second set of doors.
- The door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
- The door(s) is/are double width.
- The door(s) may be difficult to open.
- The width of the door opening is 108cm.
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Ramp/Slope
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- The ramp/slope is located immediately after the first set of doors.
- The gradient of the ramp/slope is steep.
- The ramp/slope is permanent.
- There is not a level landing at the top of the ramp/slope.
- The width of the ramp/slope is 122cm (4ft).
- The lighting levels at the ramp/slope are moderate to good.
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Comments
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- There is a dropped kerb off Compton Avenue immediately in front of this entrance.
Level Change (Compton Avenue Entrance)
- There is a ramp/slope to access this area/service.
- The ramp/slope is located in the corridor after the Compton Avenue entrance.
- The ramp/slope gradient is slight.
- The ramp/slope is permanent.
- There is not a level landing at the top of the ramp/slope.
- The ramp does have handrails.
- The handrails are on both sides.
- The width of the ramp/slope is 129cm (4ft 3in).
Level Change (Compton Avenue Entrance to Chapel Entrance)
- There is a ramp/slope to access this area/service.
- The ramp/slope is located in the corridor after the Compton Avenue entrance.
- The ramp/slope gradient is slight.
- The ramp/slope is permanent.
- There is not a level landing at the top of the ramp/slope.
- The ramp does not have handrails.
- The width of the ramp/slope is 90cm (2ft 11in).
Entrance (Chapel from Compton Avenue Entrance)
- This information is for the entrance located ahead and right after the Compton Avenue entrance.
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Entrance
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- There is step-free access at this entrance.
- The main door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
- The door(s) is/are single width.
- The door(s) may be difficult to open.
- There is a small lip on the threshold of the entrance, with a height of 2cm or below.
- There is a second set of doors.
- The door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
- The door(s) is/are single width.
- The door(s) may be difficult to open.
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Comments
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- The doorways are very narrow.
Inside Access
- There is not level access to the service(s).
- There is a hearing assistance system.
- The system is a fixed loop.
- Staff are trained to use the system.
- The hearing assistance system was not tested at the time of the survey.
- This venue does play background music.
- Music is played before events.
- Motorised scooters are welcomed in public parts of the venue.
- The lighting levels are moderate to good.
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Comments
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- There are designated spaces for wheelchair/mobility scooter users.
- Designated spaces are situated at the front of the venue, to the left and to the right of the stage.
- There is also a box on the ground floor to the rear of the venue available at the discretion of staff.
Level Change (Chapel)
- There is a ramp/slope to access this area/service.
- The ramp/slope is located between the pews towards the front of the chapel.
- The ramp/slope gradient is slight.
- The ramp/slope is permanent.
- There is not a level landing at the top of the ramp/slope.
- The ramp does not have handrails.
- The width of the ramp/slope is 102cm (3ft 4in).
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Comments
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- There are also slopes to the left and right of the stage at the front of the chapel.
Level Change (Stage)
- There is a/are step(s) to access this area/service.
- The step(s) is/are located to each side of the stage.
- There is/are 5 step(s) to the area/service.
- The lighting levels at the step(s) are adjustable.
- The step(s) is/are clearly marked.
- The step(s) is/are deep (18cm+).
- There is a/are handrail(s) at the step(s).
- The handrail(s) is/are on both sides.
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Comments
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- These steps are usually only used by performers, and at the discretion of staff.
Entrance (Bar)
- This information is for the entrance located to the rear left of the building.
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Entrance
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- There is step-free access at this entrance, via lift.
- The main door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
- The door(s) is/are double width.
- The door(s) is/are permanently held open.
- The width of the door opening is 125cm.
- There is a small lip on the threshold of the entrance, with a height of 2cm or below.
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Step(s)
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- The step(s) is/are located on the approach to the entrance to the bar.
- There is/are 13 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 18cm.
- There is a/are handrail(s) at the step(s).
- The handrail(s) is/are on the right going up.
- Handrails are not 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.
- The lighting levels at the step(s) are good.
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Comments
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- There is a stair lift here that overcomes the stairs.
Lift (Bar)
- There is a lift for public use.
- The lift is located to the rear left of the building.
- The lift is a stair lift.
- The floors which are accessible by this lift are the access corridor from the left hand external entrance, and the bar.
- The lift is approximately 24m (26yd 9in) from the left hand external entrance.
- Staff do need to be notified for use of the lift.
- The dimensions of the lift are 85cm x 118cm (2ft 9in x 3ft 10in).
- The controls for the lift are within 90cm - 120cm from the floor.
- The lift does not have Braille markings.
- The lift does not have tactile markings.
- The lighting level in the lift is good.
Eating and Drinking (Bar)
- The following information is for the bar.
- The bar is located to the rear of the venue.
- The bar does serve food.
- Full table service is not available.
- Food or drinks are ordered from the service counter.
- Food or drinks can be brought to the table.
- There is not a lowered section at the counter.
- No tables are permanently fixed.
- Some chairs are permanently fixed.
- No chairs have armrests.
- The nearest table is approximately 5m (5yd 1ft) from the entrance to the bar.
- The standard height for tables is 70cm.
- There is ample room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
- Takeaway cutlery is not available.
- Drinking straws are available.
- Menus are wall only.
- Menus are not available in Braille.
- Menus are not available in large print.
- Picture menus are not available.
- Menus are not clearly written.
- Menus are not presented in contrasting colours.
- The type of food served here is hot and cold meals and snacks.
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Comments
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- There is also bench seating, stools, and high chairs with armrests available.
Other Floors (Ground Floor to The Gallery)
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Steps
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- The floors which are accessible by stairs are G, 1.
- There are 15+ steps between floors.
- The steps are not 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 low to moderate.
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Other
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- The area(s)/service(s) on the floors which are not accessible is/are the gallery on the first floor.
Level Change (The Gallery)
- There is a/are step(s) to access this area/service.
- The step(s) is/are located between the pews in the gallery.
- The lighting levels at the step(s) are adjustable.
- The step(s) is/are clearly marked.
- The step(s) is/are deep (18cm+).
- There is not a/are not handrail(s) at the step(s).
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Comments
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- There are between 2 and 15+ steps between the pews depending on access requirements.
Toilet with Adaptations (Right Hand Transfer)
- Accessible toilet facilities are available.
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Location and Access
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- There is pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
- This accessible toilet is approximately 33m (36yd 3in) from the main entrance to the chapel.
- This accessible toilet is located to the right of the stage.
- There is not level access to this accessible toilet.
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Features and Dimensions
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- This is a shared toilet.
- A key is not required for the accessible toilet.
- The door opens outwards.
- The door is locked by a lever twist.
- The width of the accessible toilet door is 76cm (2ft 6in).
- The door is easy to open.
- The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 158cm x 180cm (5ft 2in x 5ft 11in).
- There is not 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 right.
- The lateral transfer space is 84cm (2ft 9in).
- There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
- There is a flush 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 clinical waste and open waste paper bin disposal units.
- There is a/are coat hook(s).
- The height of the coat hook is 164cm from the floor.
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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 not placed at a lower level or at an angle for ease of use.
- The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 54cm (1ft 9in).
- There is not a hand dryer.
- There is a towel dispenser.
- The towel dispenser cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The towel dispenser is placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
- The height of the towel dispenser is 130cm (4ft 3in).
- 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 placed higher than 74cm (2ft 5in).
- The height of the wash basin is 80cm (2ft 7in).
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Colour Contrast and Lighting
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- There is a low colour contrast between the external door and wall.
- There is a low 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 medium colour contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall.
- There is a high colour contrast between the walls and floor.
- The lighting levels are varied.
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Baby Change Facilities
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- Baby change facilities are located within the venue.
- Baby change facilities are located in the accessible toilet.
- The height of the baby change table once extended is 92cm (3ft).
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Comments
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- The accessible toilet is 12m from the designated seating area on the right hand side of the stage.
- The accessible toilet is 23m from the designated seating area on the left hand side of the stage.
Standard Toilet(s) (Right Hand Side)
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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 and Male Toilet(s)
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- The female and male toilet facilities that were surveyed are located to the right of the stage.
- The female and male toilets are approximately 33m (36yd 3in) from the main entrance to the chapel.
- Inside the venue, there is not level access to the female and male toilets.
- Lighting levels in the female and male toilets are moderate to good.
Level Change (Accessible Toilet and Right Hand Side Standard Toilets)
- There is a ramp/slope to access this area/service.
- The ramp/slope is located to the right of the stage.
- The ramp/slope gradient is slight.
- The ramp/slope is permanent.
- There is not a level landing at the top of the ramp/slope.
- The ramp does not have handrails.
- The width of the ramp/slope is 106cm (3ft 6in).
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Comments
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- There are double doors at the top of the slope to access the toilets.
- The door width is 77cm.
- The doors are permanently held open during events.
Standard Toilet(s) (Left Hand Side)
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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 and Male Toilet(s)
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- The female and male toilet facilities that were surveyed are located to the left of the stage, through the access door, turn left then right through the gate.
- The female and male toilets are approximately 23m (25yd 6in) from the main entrance to the chapel.
- Inside the venue, there is not level access to the female and male toilets.
- Lighting levels in the female and male toilets are moderate to good.
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Comments
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- There is a 15cm high step at the threshold of the chapel doorway.
Additional Info
- Documents are not available in Braille.
- Documents are 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.
- This service cannot be requested.
- Home visits / services are not available.