Skip to main content
The new name for DisabledGo

Search for accessible places to go

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Centre Building

Houghton Street, Holborn, London, WC2A 2AE

View Accessibility Symbols

Accessibility Symbols

For more information about what these symbols mean, view our Accessibility Symbols Guide.

Close this popup window.

Access Guide

Show Easy Read

Overview

Getting Inside

  • The approach to the building is step-free and level.
  • Access to the building from Portugal Street is via a slight slope with no handrails. There is stepped access on the approach from Clements Inn which can be bypassed via a lift.
  • There are three entrances into the building. All three entrances are step-free and level. There are push pad activated single doors available at two entrances (the alternative being manual revolving doors) .
  • The entrances are not named.
  • The Accessible Entrance provides step-free level access to the reception foyer on the ground floor.
  • All entrances are step-free and level. .

Getting Around

  • There is step-free level access throughout the building on all floors via lifts.
  • Floor surfaces along all circulation routes are hard and smooth, with some having a shiny finish. .
  • There are resting areas in some circulation and lobby areas with a mixture of seating.
  • Wall mounted wayfinding signage is provided throughout the building.
  • There are manual doors in some circulation corridors.

Toilet and Changing Facilities

  • Toilet Facilities View
    • There are 10+ toilets with adaptations.
    • Toilets with adaptations are located on all floors of the building.
    • The transfer space varies between left and right in the toilets with adaptations.
    • The male and female step-free standard toilet facilities are located to the left as you enter via the main entrance.
    • The shared step-free standard toilet facilities are located on floors 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12.
  • Washroom and Shower Facilities View
    • The shower facilities which have adaptations are located on the ground floor on the left as you enter the building.
    • Standard shower facilities are located on the third floor.

Rooms and Services in the Building

Parking

  • 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 Portugal Street and Aldwych.
    • The Blue Badge bays are signposted and have markings which are faded.
    • The standard on-street bays are located on Aldwych.

Entrance

  • This entrance is located at the front of the building, to the left of the main entrance revolving doors.
  • The entrance area is not 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 an intercom at a height of 93cm.
  • There is a single automatic door at this entrance.
  • The door opens towards you.
  • There is a push pad at a height of 78cm.
  • The width of the opening is 120cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
  • The door has a medium visual contrast.
  • There is step-free level access as you enter.

Reception

  • The reception is located to the left as you enter via the main entrance.
  • The distance from the main entrance is 10m.
  • 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 75cm.
  • The reception has patterned/distracting backgrounds.
  • There is a clearly signed fixed hearing assistance system.
  • The hearing assistance system was tested and working at the time of the survey.
  • There is background noise in this area.
  • The flooring is shiny.
  • 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.
  • Seating available in this area includes: chairs without armrests, armchairs and high stools.
  • Furniture available in this area includes: tables and high tables.
  • Some tables are fixed.

Lift

  • The lift surveyed is located to the left as you enter the building.
  • The distance from the main entrance is 35m.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access.
  • Floors B, G, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 are accessed by this lift.
  • The lift door has a high visual contrast.
  • The external lift control buttons have a high visual contrast and tactile markings.
  • All of the external lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • The lift door opening width is 100cm.
  • The internal dimensions of the lift are 120cm (width) x 230cm (depth).
  • The internal lift control buttons have tactile markings and a high visual contrast.
  • The majority of the internal controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • Internally the lift has: an audible announcer, a visual floor indicator and a mirror to aid reversing.
  • 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 to the left as you enter through the main entrance.
  • The basement, ground, first and second floors 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 18cm.
  • The depth of the steps is between 30cm and 45cm.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
  • Floors 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12 are accessible by a seperate staircase which starts on the third floor. .

Toilet with Adaptations (G.10 360 Left Hand Transfer)

  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet surveyed is located to the left as you enter via the main entrance.
    • The distance from the main entrance is 25m.
    • The most accessible route to the toilet has step-free level access.
    • There is step-free level access into the facility.
    • There is Braille, tactile, pictorial and written text signage on or near the door.
    • The door opens outwards and has a medium visual contrast.
    • The door is easy to open.
    • The width of the door opening is 92cm.
    • The door has a twist lock.
    • Internally the door has a medium visual contrast.
    • There is not a grab rail on the internal door .
  • Dimensions and Features View
    • The dimensions of the cubicle are 250cm (width) x 250cm (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 180cm (from the side of the toilet pan).
    • There is a spatula 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 high visual contrast.
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • The dropdown rail has a low visual contrast.
    • The toilet seat is 46cm from the floor.
    • The toilet seat has a high 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 84cm 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 can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The soap dispenser has a high visual contrast.
    • The soap dispenser is 98cm from the floor.
    • There is not a towel dispenser.
    • There is a wall mounted hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer has a high visual contrast.
    • The hand dryer is 104cm from the floor.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm within 10cm from the floor.
    • There is a mirror.
    • There is no shelf.
    • The cubicle has a sanitary bin.
    • There are no coat hooks.
    • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey, with unshaded light sources.

Shower with Adaptations (G.10)

  • Location and Access View
    • The shower surveyed is located within the G.10 toilet with adaptaions.
    • The distance from the main entrance is 25m.
    • The most accessible route to the shower has step-free level access.
    • There is step-free level access into the facility.
  • Dimensions and Features View
    • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre in the shower (150cm x 150cm).
    • There is an adjustable shower head which can also be detached.
    • The shower controls are lever mixer.
    • There is a flip-down shower seat.
    • The shower seat is 47cm from the floor.
    • There are grab rails for the shower.
    • The grab rails have a high visual contrast.
    • The dropdown rails have a high visual contrast.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm for the shower within 10cm from the floor.
    • There is a mirror.
    • There is no shelf.
    • The facility has a sanitary bin.
    • There are no coat hooks.
    • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey, with unshaded light sources.
    • There are both adjustable and fixed shower heads in this facility.