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Charnwood Museum

Granby Street, Loughborough, Leicestershire, LE11 3DU

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Access Guide

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Overview

  • About View
    • Situated in the former Victorian swimming baths, Charnwood Museum showcases the rich heritage of the local area.
    • Facilities available in the venue include: café, toilets, seating.
    • View information on opening times
  • Parking and Public Transport View
  • Getting In and Around View
    • There is step-free access via ramp at the most accessible entrance.
    • There is step-free level access throughout.
    • The following areas have step-free access via ramps or slopes: access to the main entrance, access to and from the Charnwood Forest exhibition, access to the café.
    • Access throughout may include uneven surfaces and narrow walkways.
  • Getting Help and Assistance View
    • There is seating available.
    • There is a fixed hearing assistance system.
    • You can borrow or hire the following equipment: a manual wheelchair.
    • Additional equipment which can be borrowed or hired includes: ear defenders, fidget toys, sensory backpacks.
    • There is a designated safe space which can be used by people with dementia, autism or learning disabilities.
    • The designated safe space is located the blackout sensory tent in the hallway at the side entrance to the building.
    • Documents are available in the following formats: Braille.
    • There is a water bowl available for assistance dogs.
    • There is not a designated assistance dog spending area.
    • Additional facilities/services include: Wi-Fi.
    • Staff receive the following training: First Aid, Safeguarding, Disability Awareness.

Toilet and Changing Facilities

  • Toilet Facilities View
    • There is 1 toilet with adaptations.
    • The toilet with adaptations is located to the left of the reception desk.
    • The toilet with adaptations has a right hand transfer space.
    • The male and female step-free toilet facilities are located to the left of the reception desk.
  • Changing Places and Changing Facilities View
    • Parent and baby changing facilities are located within the toilet with adaptations and the female standard toilet.

Parking

  • Car Park View
    • There is 1 designated Blue Badge parking bay available.
    • The Blue Badge bay is clearly marked.
    • The surveyed Blue Badge parking bay dimensions are 234cm (width) x 457cm (depth).
    • There is a marked zone to one side and the rear.
    • The width of the marked zone is 100cm.
    • The nearest designated bay is 10m from the ramped entrance to the museum.
    • The most accessible route from the Blue Badge parking has step-free level access.
  • Charges and Restrictions View
    • Parking is free for Blue Badge holders.
  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is a designated drop-off point available.
    • The designated drop-off point is located to the right hand side of the entrance to the museum.
    • There is no dropped kerb from the drop-off point.
  • On-street Parking View
    • On-street standard parking is available.
    • The on-street designated Blue Badge parking bays are located on Granby Street.
  • Public Car Parks View
    • There is a public car park located on Granby Street.
    • The name of the car park is Granby Street Car Park.
    • Designated Blue Badge parking bays are available in the car park.

Access To

  • The distance from the gates on Granby Street to the museum entrance is 30m.
  • The most accessible route has slight ramps or slopes and steep ramps or slopes.
  • The ramp has a steep gradient.
  • The ramp is over 150cm wide with handrails on both sides.
  • The ramp bypasses the steps.
  • There are 5 steps with handrails on both sides.
  • The handrails are easy to grip.
  • The handrails cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
  • The handrails do not extend horizontally beyond the first and last step.
  • The steps are unmarked.
  • The height of the steps is not between 15cm and 18cm.
  • The height of the highest step is 25cm.
  • The depth of the steps is between 30cm and 45cm.
  • There is written text signage on or near the entrance.
  • There are double manual doors which are permanently held open.
  • The width of the opening is 138cm.
  • There are a second set of double automatic doors which open towards you.
  • The width of the opening is 150cm.
  • The second set of doors have a high visual contrast.

Reception

  • The reception is located directly ahead, as you enter the museum.
  • The distance from the entrance doors is 5m.
  • There is step-free level access to reception.
  • The height of the reception desk is 100cm.
  • There is a lowered section at the desk.
  • The height of the lowered section is 83cm.
  • There is a fixed hearing assistance system which is not clearly signed.
  • The hearing assistance system was tested, however it was not working at the time of the survey.
  • There is no (or very little) background noise in this area.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
  • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre in the seating area (150cm x 150cm).
  • There is space for an assistance dog to rest in the seating area.

Getting Around

  • There is step-free level access throughout the majority of areas.
  • The following areas have step-free access via ramps or slopes: access to and from the Charnwood Forest exhibition.
  • Access throughout may include uneven surfaces and narrow walkways.
  • Some flooring is shiny and patterned.
  • The visual contrast between the walls and floor varies between low and high.
  • Some of the walls have a reflective finish.
  • There is background noise in some areas of the venue.
  • Wayfinding signage is not provided.
  • Seating available in the walkways includes: chairs with armrests, armchairs and benches.
  • Lighting levels vary due to the size of the space.
  • Lighting levels are adjustable in some areas.

Toilet with Adaptations (Left of Reception - Transfer Both Sides)

  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet surveyed is located to the left of the reception desk.
    • The distance from the reception desk is 10m.
    • The most accessible route to the toilet has step-free level access.
    • There is step-free level access into the facility.
    • There is pictorial and written text signage on or near the door.
    • The door opens outwards and has a low visual contrast.
    • The door is easy to open.
    • The width of the door opening is 88cm.
    • The door has a lever twist lock.
    • Internally the door has a high visual contrast.
    • There is a grab rail on the internal door with a high visual contrast.
  • Dimensions and Features View
    • The dimensions of the cubicle are 180cm (width) x 230cm (depth) and there is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
    • There is lateral transfer space on both sides of the toilet .
    • The lateral transfer space on the left is 80cm (from the side of the toilet pan).
    • The lateral transfer space on the right is 80cm (from the side of the toilet pan).
    • There is a lever flush on the right transfer side.
    • There is no horizontal grab rail for the toilet.
    • There is no vertical grab rail for the toilet.
    • There are dropdown rails on both sides of the toilet.
    • The dropdown rails have a medium visual contrast.
    • The toilet seat is 46cm from the floor.
    • The toilet seat has a low visual contrast.
    • There is a wall mounted toilet roll holder which can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The toilet roll holder has a medium visual contrast.
    • The toilet roll holder is 90cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin and taps cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin has a lever mixer tap.
    • The vertical grab rail is on the right as you face the wash basin.
    • The wash basin grab rail has a medium visual contrast.
    • There is a wall mounted soap dispenser which cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The soap dispenser has a medium visual contrast.
    • The soap dispenser is 110cm from the floor.
    • There is a wall mounted hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer has a medium visual contrast.
    • The hand dryer is 110cm from the floor.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm, however it is not within 10cm from the floor.
    • There is a mirror.
    • There is no shelf.
    • The cubicle has a nappy/incontinence items bin and a sanitary bin.
    • The height of the baby change facility when in use is 92cm.
    • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

Area (Changing Room - Under 5's Play Area)

  • The "Changing Room" is the original changing room belonging to the Victorian swimming baths, which is now a designated area for under 5's play.
  • There is written text signage on or near the door.
  • There is step-free level access into this area.
  • The width of the opening is 79cm.
  • There is an open doorway into the Changing Room play area.
  • There is step-free level access throughout the area.
  • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
  • Some flooring is shiny.
  • Seating available in this area includes: chairs without armrests.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

Exhibition Space

  • All exhibits are indoors.
  • There is step-free level access throughout the majority of areas.
  • The following areas have step-free access via ramps or slopes: access to and from the Charnwood Forest exhibition.
  • Access throughout may include uneven surfaces.
  • There is some room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
  • Some flooring is shiny and patterned.
  • The walls and floor visual contrast varies between low and high.
  • The following may be experienced here: lighting effects and interactive video effects.
  • There is background noise in some areas.
  • Lighting levels vary due to the size of the space.
  • Display information includes: pictorial, audio description and televisions/screens.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • Seating available in this area includes: chairs without armrests, armchairs and benches.

Area (Charnwood Gallery)

  • The Charnwood Gallery is located to the right of the reception desk.
  • There is step-free level access into this area.
  • The width of the opening is 150cm.
  • There is an open doorway into the area.
  • There is step-free level access throughout the area.
  • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
  • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
  • Some of the walls have a reflective finish.
  • Seating available in this area includes: chairs with armrests.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • There is no (or very little) background noise in this area.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

Shop

  • Getting Around View
    • There is step-free level access throughout all areas.
    • The majority of main aisle widths are between 120cm - 150cm.
    • Some flooring is shiny.
    • There is a low visual contrast between the shelving and floor throughout this area.
    • There is no (or very little) background noise.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
    • The checkout area is located ahead and to the right.
    • There is step-free level access to the checkout area.
    • The venue has a payment counter.
  • Payment Counter View
    • The counter surveyed was ahead and to the right.
    • Signage is not provided for the counter.
    • The queue width is at least 150cm and there is no need to turn.
    • The height of the payment counter is 101cm.
    • There is not a lowered section at the counter.
    • The card payment machine is at a height of 105cm.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

Eating and Drinking (Queen's Park Cafe)

  • Location and Access View
    • Queen's Park Café is located to the left of the museum and is accessed via a ramp and step, or via a step-free level doorway from within the musem.
    • The most accessible route has step-free level access, steep ramps or slopes, doors permanently held open and automatic doors.
    • There is step-free level access into this area.
    • There are double manual doors with a high visual contrast.
    • One of the doors was locked at the time of the survey.
    • The door is permanently held open.
    • The width of the opening is 84cm.
  • Service View
    • This area has a counter where food and drink can be ordered, staff who can provide assistance with ordering, colleagues who can provide assistance with ordering and designated seating.
    • Full table service is available on request only.
    • Menus are handheld and wall-mounted.
    • The following dietary requirements can be catered for: gluten free, vegetarian and vegan.
    • The following are available: drinking straws, takeaway cups and takeaway cutlery.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • Order and Payment View
    • The payment counter was surveyed.
    • The counter is located ahead as you enter the cafe.
    • There is step-free level access to the counter.
    • The height of the counter is 89cm.
    • There is not a lowered section at the counter.
    • The counter has patterned/distracting backgrounds.
    • The height of the counter for returning the trays is 103cm.
  • Seating Area View
    • There is step-free level access throughout the seating area.
    • The following areas have step-free access via ramps or slopes: the exit after the cafe's main entrance door.
    • The following areas have stepped access: the threshold of the cafe's main entrance door.
    • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
    • There is space for an assistance dog to rest.
    • Some flooring is shiny.
    • The walls and floor visual contrast varies between low and high.
    • Seating available in this area includes: chairs with armrests, chairs without armrests, sofas and stools.
    • Furniture available in this area includes: tables and coffee tables.
    • The surface height of some of the tables is suitable for wheelchair users.
    • The clear height under some of the tables is suitable for wheelchair users.
    • There is no (or very little) background noise in this area.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

Outdoor Spaces (Queen's Park Café - Patio)

  • Additional facilities in this area include: tables with an underside height of 68cm, seats with armrests, large parasols, dog water bowls.
  • Outdoor areas consist of paving slabs.
  • The majority of the paths are wide enough for wheelchair users.
  • There is step-free level access throughout all areas.
  • The following areas have stepped access: the door threshold to access the patio from the café. This is also the entrance door, if not entering the café via the museum.
  • There are seats situated along the paths for people to rest.