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The Plowden Building

London Business School, Regent's Park, NW1 4SA

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Access Guide

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Overview

Getting Inside

  • The approach to the building from Park Road is step-free and level.
  • There is a single entrance off Park Road.
  • There are further entrances off the Arrival Gardens and Sussex Place Quadrangle between the Plowden Building and the Ratcliffe Buildings.
  • Arrival Gardens and the Quadrangle may be accessed from Sussex Place, near the North Building.
  • There is a main entrance here which is at the end of the covered walkway between the Ratcliffe Building and the Plowden Building.
  • The entrance off Park Road is signed 'London Business School'.
  • The entrance off the covered walkway is signed 'Plowden Building'.
  • All entrances provide step-free level access to the reception area on level 0.

Getting Around

  • There is step-free access via lift throughout the building on all floors from level 0 upwards.
  • There is a 13cm high step for access to Collaborative Learning Classroom 01 on level -1.
  • Floor surfaces are hard and smooth with the majority being patterned.
  • There are resting areas available in the lift lobby areas on all floors.
  • There is a lounge area on level 3, near the Careers Centre.
  • Wall mounted wayfinding signage is provided throughout the building.
  • There are manual doors along circulation routes throughout the building, which also may require a key card .
  • There are hearing assistance systems in Collaborative Learning Classroom 01 on level -1; in room PL.P1.01, lecture theatre PL12, and Collaborative Learning Classroom 02 on level 1; and in room PL.P2.02 on level 2.

Toilet and Changing Facilities

  • Toilet Facilities View
    • There are 4 toilets with adaptations.
    • Toilets with adaptations are located on levels 0, 1, 2, and 3.
    • The transfer space varies between left and right in the toilets with adaptations.
    • The toilet with adaptations on level 0 has a transfer space on the right-hand side.
    • The toilets with adaptations on levels 1, 2, and 3, have a transfer space on the left-hand side.
    • The shared step-free standard toilet facilities are located on level 0, and level -1.
    • The male and female step-free standard toilet facilities are located on levels 1, 2, and 3, off the lift lobby.
    • The shared standard toilets on level -1 were out of service at the time of survey (November 2025).
  • Changing Places and Changing Facilities View
    • Parent and baby changing facilities are located on level 0 in the first aid room, and within the toilets with adaptations on each of levels 1, 2, and 3.

Rooms and Services in the Building

Parking (North Building)

  • Car Park View
    • The car park is located off Park Road, to the rear of the North Building.
    • The car park is open air/surface.
    • The car park surface consists of tarmac and block paving.
    • There are 2 designated Blue Badge parking bays available.
    • The surveyed Blue Badge parking bay dimensions are 245cm (width) x 470cm (depth).
    • The width of the marked zone is 700cm.
    • The dimensions of the designated Blue Badge parking bays vary in size.
    • The nearest designated bay is 7m from either of the North Building rear entrances.
    • The nearest designated bay is 110m from the Plowden Building main entrance.
    • The most accessible route from the Blue Badge parking has step-free level access.
  • Charges and Restrictions View
    • This car park is for staff and visitors only.
    • Parking is free for all users.
    • Visitors must register their vehicles prior to arrival.
  • Electric Vehicle Charging Points View
    • There are 5 electric vehicle charging points.
    • The dimensions of the surveyed electric vehicle charging bay are 240cm (width) x 475cm (depth).
    • The controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
    • The charging points require an app.
    • There is 1 electric vehicle charging point designated for Blue Badge holders.
    • The dimensions of the surveyed electric vehicle charging bay designated for Blue Badge holders are 245cm (width) x 470cm (depth).
    • The controls for the Blue Badge charging points are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
    • The charging points designated for Blue Badge holders require an app.
    • The nearest Blue Badge charging point is 7m from the right-hand rear entrance to the North Building.
    • The nearest Blue Badge charging point is 110m from the main entrance to the Plowden Building.
  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop-off point available.
  • On-street Parking View
    • On-street designated Blue Badge parking and standard parking is available .
    • The on-street designated Blue Badge parking bays are located on Park Road opposite the Business School, and opposite Ivor Place.
    • The Blue Badge bay opposite the Business School is clearly marked and signposted.
    • The Blue Badge bay opposite Ivor Place is signposted but has no markings.

Main Entrance (Park Road)

  • This entrance is located off Park Road, to the centre of the building.
  • The entrance area is clearly signed.
  • There is a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at the entrance.
  • There is step-free level access at the entrance.
  • There is a key fob/card reader at a height of 120cm.
  • There are double automatic doors at this entrance.
  • The doors open by sliding.
  • The width of the opening is 150cm.
  • The doors have a low visual contrast.
  • There is a push pad or push button to exit at a height of 118cm.

Reception

  • The reception is located on the left after the main entrance.
  • The distance from the main entrance is 3m.
  • There is step-free level access to reception.
  • The height of the reception desk is 110cm.
  • There is a lowered section at the desk.
  • The height of the lowered section is 76cm.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • There is no (or very little) background noise in this area.
  • The flooring is shiny.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

Lift

  • The lift surveyed is located straight ahead after the main entrance, on the right.
  • The distance from main entrance is 6m.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access.
  • Levels -1, 0, 1, 2, and 3 are accessed by this lift.
  • The lift door has a high visual contrast.
  • The lift has a level manoeuvring space in front of it for a wheelchair user (150cm x 150cm).
  • The weight limit for the lift is 630kg.
  • The external lift control buttons have tactile markings and a high visual contrast.
  • All of the external lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • The lift door opening width is 79cm.
  • The internal dimensions of the lift are 101cm (width) x 136cm (depth).
  • The internal lift control buttons have tactile markings and a high visual contrast.
  • All 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 a list of floor services/facilities.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
  • There are other lifts available at this location which are of a similar size.

Stairs

  • The stairs surveyed are located on the left after the main entrance.
  • Levels -1, 0, 1, 2, and 3 can be accessed by these stairs.
  • There are 20+ steps between floors.
  • The steps are clearly marked and have 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 height of the steps is between 15cm and 18cm.
  • The height of the highest step is 15cm.
  • The depth of the steps is between 30cm and 45cm.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
  • There are double manual doors to access the stairwell on levels 0 and -1.
  • There are single or double manual doors to access the stairwell from level 1 upwards.
  • There are additional stairs between level 0 and level 1 in the Plowden Lounge.
  • These stairs may be overcome by using the main lifts.

Toilet with Adaptations (Level 1 - Left Hand Transfer)

  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet surveyed is located on level 1, on the left out of the lift.
    • The distance from the lift is 15m.
    • The most accessible route to the toilet has step-free level access.
    • There is step-free level access into the facility.
    • There is pictorial signage on or near the door.
    • The door opens outwards and has a high visual contrast.
    • The width of the door opening is 85cm.
    • The door has a locking handle.
    • 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 244cm (width) x 228cm (depth) and there is 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 176cm (from the side of the toilet pan).
    • There is a lever flush on the transfer side.
    • There is a horizontal grab rail on the non-transfer side.
    • The horizontal grab rail has a high visual contrast.
    • There is a vertical grab rail on the transfer side.
    • The vertical grab rail has a medium visual contrast.
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • The dropdown rail has a medium visual contrast.
    • The toilet seat is 48cm from the floor.
    • The toilet seat has a high visual contrast.
    • The toilet has a padded backrest.
    • There is a wall mounted toilet roll holder which can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The toilet roll holder has a low visual contrast.
    • The toilet roll holder is 80cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin and taps can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is 72cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin has a lever mixer tap.
    • The vertical grab rails are on both sides of the wash basin.
    • The wash basin grab rails have a high visual contrast.
    • There is a wall mounted soap dispenser which cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The soap dispenser has a low visual contrast.
    • The soap dispenser is 96cm from the floor.
    • There is a wall mounted towel dispenser which cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The towel dispenser has a low visual contrast.
    • The towel dispenser is 95cm from the floor.
    • There is not a hand dryer.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm but it was tied up at the time of the survey.
    • There is a mirror.
    • There is no shelf.
    • The cubicle has a pedal bin.
    • There is one coat hook.
    • The coat hook is 143cm from the floor.
    • The height of the baby change facility when in use is 88cm.
    • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey, with unshaded light sources.