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Hat Works Museum

Wellington Mill, Wellington Road South, Stockport , Greater Manchester, SK3 0EU

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Access Guide

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Overview

  • About View
    • Hat Works Museum is an attraction for people of all ages where visitors can learn the 'hard hatting' facts about Stockport’s hat trade and see restored Victorian hat-making machines in motion.
    • Services available in the venue include: café, gift shop, creative events and tours.
    • 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, this may include the use of a lift.
    • Access throughout may include uneven surfaces.
    • Level 0 and Level 1 can be accessed via a standard lift and stairs.
    • The following facilities are available: a seat/chair and a designated safe space.
    • Additional equipment which can be borrowed or hired includes: Ear Defenders.
    • Additional facilities/services include: Wi-Fi.
    • Staff receive the following training: Autism Awareness, Access and Inclusion Awareness and First Aid Training.
    • The designated safe space is on Level 1.
  • Toilet and Changing Facilities View
    • There are 2 toilets with adaptations.
    • Toilets with adaptations are located on Level 1 and Level 2.
    • The male and female toilet facilities are located on Level 1 and Level 2..
    • Parent and baby changing facilities are located in the Toilet with Adaptations on Level 2.

Entrance

  • This entrance is located on the A6 main road.
  • There is step-free access via ramp at the entrance.
  • The ramp is between 75cm and 150cm wide with a handrail on the right going up.
  • There are double automatic doors at this entrance.
  • The doors open by sliding.
  • The width of the opening is 187cm.
  • There is step-free level access as you enter.

Reception

  • The reception is located ahead after the entrance door.
  • The journey time to this reception from the entrance door is approximately 30 seconds.
  • There is step-free level access to reception.
  • The height of the reception desk is 97cm.
  • There is a lowered section at the desk, at a suitable height for a wheelchair user .
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • There may be background noise in this area.
  • The reception shares a counter with the shop.

Shop

  • Getting Around View
    • There is step-free level access throughout all areas.
    • There may be background noise.
    • Customers can obtain online items fromhttps://museumshops.uk/shop/hat-works/
  • Payment View
    • The venue has a payment counter.
    • The height of the payment counter is 97cm.
    • There is not a lowered section at the counter.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system.

Lift

  • The lift surveyed is located to the right side after entering the museum.
  • The journey time to this lift from the main entrance is approximately 20 seconds.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access.
  • Levels 0, 1 and 2 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 89cm.
  • All of the internal lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • Internally the lift has: an audible announcer.

Stairs

  • The stairs surveyed are located in the centre of the reception area to all floors.
  • Levels 0, 1 and 2 can be accessed by these stairs.

Exhibition Space (Level 0 - The Factory Floor)

  • All exhibits are indoors.
  • There is step-free level access throughout all areas.
  • Access throughout may include uneven surfaces and doors permanently held open.
  • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
  • The following may be experienced here: sudden loud noises and lighting effects.
  • There may be background noise.
  • Display information includes: tactile, pictorial, televisions/screens and subtitles.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • There are shows/talks with no designated seating for wheelchair users.
  • Guided tours are available.
  • There is step-free level access throughout the tour.
  • Access throughout the tour may include uneven surfaces.
  • Wayfinding signage is provided throughout the tour.
  • The exhibits on this floor include; Cottage Industry and Mechanisation.

Exhibition Space (Level 1 - Gallery of Hats)

  • All exhibits are indoors.
  • There is step-free level access throughout all areas.
  • Access throughout may include doors permanently held open.
  • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
  • The following may be experienced here: lighting effects and interactive video effects.
  • There may be background noise.
  • Display information includes: tactile, pictorial, touchscreens, augmented reality, interactive exhibits at a suitable height for a wheelchair user and subtitles.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • There are shows/talks with no designated seating for wheelchair users.
  • Guided tours are available.
  • There is step-free level access throughout the tour.
  • Access throughout the tour may include doors permanently held open.
  • Wayfinding signage is not provided throughout the tour.
  • Exhibits in this area include: Global Thread, Ideas and Inspiration, What's it Made Of? and Repair, Re-purpose, Re-imagine.

Area (Mini-Makers Studio)

  • Mini-Makers Studio is part of the Gallery of Hats Exhibition.
  • There is step-free level access into this area.
  • The width of the opening is 96cm.
  • Services available in this area include: free Play area.
  • There is step-free level access throughout the area.
  • Access throughout the area may include doors permanently held open.
  • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
  • Seating available in this area includes: chairs with armrests and stools.
  • Furniture available in this area includes: tables.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • There may be background noise in this area.
  • Wayfinding signage is provided.

Eating and Drinking (Hat Works Café)

  • Location and Service View
    • To the left and rear of the reception desk. One of the doors is permanently held open width a width of 87cm.
    • The most accessible route has step-free level access and doors permanently held open.
    • This area has a counter where food and drink can be ordered, staff who can provide assistance with ordering and numerous seating options.
    • Full table service is available on request only.
    • Menus are handheld and available on a board.
    • The following dietary requirements can be catered for: gluten free, dairy free, lactose free, nut allergy, 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 to the right side of the café.
    • There is step-free level access to the counter.
    • The height of the counter is 93cm.
    • There is not a lowered section at the counter.
  • Seating Area View
    • 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: armchairs, chairs without armrests and chairs with armrests.
    • Furniture available in this area includes: tables.
    • There may be background noise in this area.

Toilet with Adaptations (Level 1 - Right Hand Transfer)

  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet surveyed is located on Level 1, below the stairs.
    • The most accessible route to the toilet has step-free level access and a lift.
    • 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.
    • The width of the door opening is 84cm.
    • 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 68cm (from the side of the toilet pan to the wall).
    • There is a spatula flush on the 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 49cm from the floor.
    • There is a wall mounted toilet roll holder, a wash basin, a wall mounted soap dispenser and a hand dryer available.
    • The wash basin has a lever mixer tap.
    • The vertical grab rail is on the right as you face the wash basin.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm, however it is not within 10cm from the floor.
    • The cubicle has a sanitary bin.
    • Additional features include: a mirror and a coat hook.

Toilet with Adaptations (Level 2 - Left Hand Transfer)

  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet surveyed is located on Level 2, between the two standard toilets.
    • The most accessible route to the toilet has step-free level access and a lift.
    • 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.
    • The width of the door opening is 84cm.
    • 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 78cm (from the side of the toilet pan to the wall).
    • There is a spatula flush on the non-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, a wall mounted soap dispenser and a hand dryer available.
    • The wash basin has a lever mixer tap.
    • The vertical grab rail is on the left as you face 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 baby changing table.
    • The baby change table has a height of 95cm.