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Showtown Blackpool

Bank Hey St, Blackpool, Lancashire, FY1 4TQ

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Access Guide

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Overview

  • About View
    • Showtown is a museum located in central Blackpool adjacent to the Blackpool Tower, which celebrates Blackpool's history via 6 interactive galleries and displays.
    • Facilities available in the venue include: a shop, interactive galleries and exhibitions, a changing places facility and a shop.
    • View information on opening times
  • Parking and Public Transport View
  • Getting In and Around View
    • There is step-free level access at the most accessible entrance.
    • There is step-free level access throughout, this may include the use of a lift.
    • Access throughout may include manual doors, automatic doors and narrow walkways.
    • The ground and first floors can be accessed via a standard lift and stairs.
    • The following facilities are available: a seat/chair, a hearing assistance system, a manual wheelchair, walking aids, mobility scooter charging facilities and a water bowl for assistance dogs.
    • The venue can provide British Sign Language interpreters.
    • Additional facilities/services include: Wi-Fi.
    • Staff receive the following training: First Aid, Safeguarding, Dementia Awareness, Disability Awareness, Fire Safety.
    • A volunteer buddy can be booked in advance to help navigate the galleries. This facility is suitable for visitors with additional needs.
      Guided tours are available on request.
      Sensory packs are available on request.
      There is a monthly Showtown Relaxed Hour session.
      Only class 1 or 2 mobility scooters are permitted at the venue.
      Manual wheelchairs and walking frames are available to borrow.
      Assistance dogs are permitted.
  • Toilet and Changing Facilities View
    • There are 2 toilets with adaptations.
    • Toilets with adaptations are located on the first floor, off the Illuminations Gallery and in the Learning Space area.
    • The male and female step-free toilet facilities are located on the first floor in the Flexible Area, before you enter the galleries and in the Learning Space area.
    • The changing facilities which have adaptations are located on the first floor in the Flexible Area, before you enter the galleries.
    • The shower facilities which have adaptations are located on the first floor in the Flexible Area, within the changing places facility.
    • Parent and baby changing facilities are located on the first floor in the Flexible Area, before you enter the galleries.

Entrance

  • This entrance is located at the front of the building.
  • There is step-free level access at the entrance.
  • There is a single automatic door at this entrance.
  • The door opens towards you.
  • There is a push pad at a height of 80cm.
  • The width of the opening is 120cm.
  • There is a push pad or push button to exit at a height of 87cm.
  • There is step-free level access as you enter.

Ticketing

  • Ticket Counter / Machines View
    • The ticket counter surveyed is located straight ahead, after entering the building.
    • There is step-free level access to the counter.
    • The height of the counter is 100cm.
    • There is a lowered section at the counter, however it is not at a suitable height for a wheelchair user .
    • There is not a hearing assistance system.

Getting Around

  • There is step-free level access throughout all areas, this may include the use of a lift.
  • Access throughout may include manual doors, automatic doors and narrow walkways.
  • There is background noise.
  • Wayfinding signage is provided.
  • Seating available in the walkways includes: benches and stools.

Shop

  • Getting Around View
    • There is step-free level access throughout all areas.
    • Access throughout may include narrow aisles.
    • Signage is provided.
    • There may be background noise.
    • The checkout area is located straight ahead.
    • There is step-free level access to the checkout area.
    • The venue has a payment counter.
  • Payment Counter View
    • The counter surveyed was straight ahead.
    • The height of the payment counter is 95cm.
    • There is not a lowered section at the counter.
    • The card payment machine is portable.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system.

Stairs

  • The stairs surveyed are located to the right hand side of the ticketing desk, next to the lifts.
  • The ground floor and first floor can be accessed by these stairs.
  • There are 20+ steps between floors which are clearly marked and have handrails on both sides.

Lift

  • The lift surveyed is located to the right hand side of the ticketing desk.
  • The journey time to this lift from the ticketing desk is approximately less than one minute.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access.
  • The ground floor and first floor are accessed by this lift.
  • All of the external lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • The lift door opening width is 112cm.
  • Some of the internal lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • Internally the lift has: a mirror to aid reversing, a visual floor indicator and an audible announcer.

Seating Area (Flexible Area)

  • The seating area is located immediately upon exiting the lifts on the first floor.
  • The most accessible route to the seating area has step-free level access.
  • There is step-free level access throughout the seating area.
  • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
  • There is space for an assistance dog to rest.
  • Seating available in this area includes: benches.
  • There is background noise in this area.

Changing Places

  • Location and Access View
    • The Changing Places facility surveyed is located on the first floor, to the left hand side upon exiting the lifts.
    • The Changing Places toilet is in addition to other toilet facilities.
    • The most accessible route to the Changing Places facility has step-free level access and a lift.
    • There is step-free level access into the facility.
    • There is pictorial signage on or near the door.
    • A RADAR key is required for access to this facility.
    • The door opens outwards.
    • The width of the door opening is 100cm.
    • The door has a locking handle.
    • 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 the right side is obstructed.
    • The transfer space on the right as you face the toilet is 77cm.
    • The transfer space on the left as you face the toilet is 155cm.
    • There is a spatula flush on the non-transfer side.
    • There are vertical grab rails on both sides of the toilet.
    • There are dropdown rails on both sides of the toilet.
    • The toilet seat is 48cm from the floor.
    • There is a wall mounted toilet roll holder.
  • Changing Bench and Hoist Details View
    • The changing bench is free standing and height adjustable.
    • The length of the changing bench is 178cm.
    • The facility hoist is powered overhead and accesses all areas.
  • Shower Details View
    • The shower has an adjustable shower head which can be detached and an emergency alarm.
    • The shower controls are twist turn mixer.
  • Other Facilities View
    • There is a height adjustable wash basin, a wall mounted soap dispenser, a wall mounted towel dispenser, a hand towel, a wide paper roll dispenser and a hand dryer available.
    • The wash basin has a lever tap.
    • The vertical grab rails are on both sides of the wash basin.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm within 10cm from the floor.
    • The facility has a sanitary bin and a clinical waste bin.
    • Additional features include: a full length mirror, a mirror, coat hooks, a shelf and a privacy screen.

Parent and Baby Room / Feeding Room (Family Room)

  • The room surveyed is located on the first floor, opposite the changing places facility.
  • The most accessible route to the room has step-free level access and a lift.
  • There is pictorial signage on or near the door.
  • There is step-free level access into the room.
  • The door opens inwards.
  • The width of the door opening is 90cm.
  • There is a wash basin, a hand dryer, a mirror and a baby changing table in the room.
  • The wash basin has a sensor tap.
  • The room has a waste bin and a nappy/incontinence items bin.
  • Seating available in the room includes: chairs with armrests.

Exhibition Space

  • This area is indoors.
  • There is step-free level access throughout all areas.
  • Access throughout may include manual doors, doors permanently held open and narrow walkways.
  • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
  • The following may be experienced here: strobe or flashing lights, flash photography, strong smells, sudden loud noises, lighting effects and audio triggered by the visitor.
  • There is background noise.
  • Display information includes: tactile, touchscreens, televisions/screens, handheld information devices, interactive exhibits at a suitable height for a wheelchair user and subtitles.
  • There is a clearly signed fixed hearing assistance system.
  • Seating available in this area includes: chairs with armrests, benches and stools.
  • Guided tours are available.
  • There is step-free level access throughout the tour.
  • Access throughout the tour may include narrow walkways.
  • Wayfinding signage is provided throughout the tour.
  • Guided tours can be arranged if requested in advance.

Toilet with Adaptations (First Floor - Illuminations Gallery - Left Hand Transfer)

  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet surveyed is located off the "Illuminations Gallery".
    • The most accessible route to the toilet has a lift and step-free level access.
    • There is step-free level access into the facility.
    • The width of the door to access the toilets is 81cm.
    • There is pictorial signage on or near the door.
    • The door opens outwards.
    • The width of the door opening is 80cm.
    • The door has a locking handle.
  • Dimensions and Features View
    • There is not room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
    • There is a lateral transfer space to the left as you face the toilet.
    • The lateral transfer space is 67cm (from the side of the toilet pan to the wall).
    • There is a spatula flush on the wall above the cistern.
    • There is a horizontal grab rail on the non-transfer side.
    • There is a vertical grab rail on the transfer side.
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • The toilet seat is 48cm from the floor.
    • There is a wash basin, a wall mounted towel dispenser and a hand dryer available.
    • The wash basin has a lever mixer tap.
    • The vertical grab rails are on both sides of the wash basin.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm, however it is not within 10cm from the floor.
    • The cubicle has a clinical waste bin and a sanitary bin.
    • Additional features include: a shelf, a mirror and a full length mirror.

Toilet with Adaptations (First Floor - Learning Space Area - Right Hand Transfer)

  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet surveyed is located to the left hand side as you enter the Learning Space area.
    • The most accessible route to the toilet has step-free level access, a lift and manual doors.
    • There is step-free level access into the facility.
    • There is pictorial signage on or near the door.
    • The door opens outwards.
    • The width of the door opening is 92cm.
    • The door has a locking handle.
  • Dimensions and Features View
    • There is not room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
    • There is a lateral transfer space to the right as you face the toilet.
    • The lateral transfer space is 70cm (from the side of the toilet pan to the wall).
    • There is a spatula flush on the right transfer side.
    • There is a horizontal grab rail on the non-transfer side.
    • There is a vertical grab rail on the transfer side.
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • The toilet seat is 48cm from the floor.
    • There is a wall mounted toilet roll holder, a wash basin and a hand dryer available.
    • The wash basin has a lever mixer tap.
    • The vertical grab rails are on both sides of the wash basin.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm, however it is not within 10cm from the floor.
    • The cubicle has a waste bin and a sanitary bin.
    • Additional features include: a mirror and a shelf.

Area (Learning Space Area - Ken Dodd Learning Suite)

  • The Learning Space area is located on the first floor, to the far end of the Seaside Gallery.
  • There is written text signage on or near the door.
  • There is step-free level access into this area.
  • There is a single manual door which opens away from you.
  • The width of the opening is 95cm.
  • Facilities available in this area include: an adjustable sink, a kitchen area.
  • There is step-free level access throughout the area.
  • Access throughout the area may include manual doors.
  • Furniture can be moved to enable a manoeuvring space for a wheelchair user (150cm x 150cm).
  • Seating available in this area includes: chairs without armrests.
  • Furniture available in this area includes: tables and long tables.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • There is background noise in this area which varies depending on the function/event .
  • The arrangement of the tables and chairs changes, according to the event.