Access Guide
Introduction
- Next store opening times and services available link (new tab) - click here.
- The store is located in/on a main shopping street/area.
- The store is located within Bluewater.
- The details within this access guide relate to the Next store and not the shopping centre.
- Bluewater link (new tab) - click here.
Getting Help and Assistance
- There is a team member available for help and assistance.
- There is a home delivery service available from the store.
- All items available in store are available online and deliverable to store.
- There is an Order and Collect service in the store.
- Customers can obtain online Order and Collect items from the customer order collection point.
- The store does play background music.
- There is a/are hearing assistance system(s) located at the Womenswear till point(s) and at the Menswear till point(s).
- There is also a hearing loop system at the White Barn till point.
Public Transport and Parking
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Public Transport
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- There is not a bus stop within approximately 150m of the store.
- The nearest train station is Greenhithe.
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Parking
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- The store does not have its own car park.
- The store shares a car park/parking facilities.
- The car park type is multi-storey.
- Parking is free for all users.
- Information is not provided at the entrance to the car park, to make it clear whether or not free parking is available to Blue Badge holders.
- There is a/are designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) available.
- There is/are 10+ designated parking bay(s) within the car park.
- Designated parking bays are clearly marked/signposted.
- The dimensions of the designated parking bay(s) are 273cm x 443cm (8ft 11in x 14ft 6in).
- The dimensions of the designated bays vary in size.
- There is a 120cm hatched zone around the Blue Badge parking bay(s).
- Clearly marked/signposted parent and child parking bays are available.
- The car park surface is tarmac.
- There is a dropped kerb from the car park to the store.
- The dropped kerb does not have tactile paving.
- There is not a designated drop-off point.
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Comments
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- Bluewater has multiple parking areas with thousands of spaces. The closest parking area to NEXT is the Plaza Car Park.
- There are three levels of the Plaza Car Park; the upper level, middle level and lower level. There are Blue Badge bays on all three; while the parent and child bays are on the lower level only.
- There is step-free level access to the shopping centre entrances from all parking spaces.
- The entrances on all three levels consist of double automatic doors.
- The Plaza Car Park lower level gives access to the lower mall by ascending a very slight ramp. The Plaza Car Park middle level gives access to the upper mall by ascending a slight ramp. The Plaza Car Park upper level gives access to the upper mall by descending a slight ramp. None of these ramps have any handrails.
- There are stairs, escalators and lifts between the upper and lower malls once inside the shopping centre.
- The Blue Badge bays have varying hatched zones; some have hatched zones on both sides, while others have a hatched zone on one side only, or none at all. In some cases the hatched zone(s) is/are under 120cm wide.
- There is a Tesla Supercharger on the lower level of the Plaza Car Park, just to the left of the shopping centre entrance.
- There is a bus stop at Bluewater Shopping Centre, but it is over 150m from the store.
Approach (Bluewater)
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Approach
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- The surface of the approach is tiled.
- Access into Bluewater is step-free via a very slight ramp from the lower level of the Plaza Car Park.
- There is step-free access on the approach.
Outside Access (Lower Mall - Thames Walk - Menswear)
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Entrance
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- This information is for the entrance located on the lower mall of Bluewater.
- The entrance area/door is clearly signed.
- There is step-free access at this entrance.
- There are no doors at this entrance.
- There are security barriers at this entrance.
- There is not a team member available for assistance at this entrance.
- There is not wayfinding signage available at this entrance.
Outside Access (Lower Mall - Thames Walk - Bath and Body Works)
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Entrance
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- This information is for the entrance located on the lower mall of Bluewater.
- The entrance area/door is clearly signed.
- There is step-free access at this entrance.
- There are no doors at this entrance.
- The width of the door opening is 225cm.
- There are security barriers at this entrance.
- There is not a team member available for assistance at this entrance.
- There is not wayfinding signage available at this entrance.
Outside Access (Upper Mall - Thames Walk - Womenswear)
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Entrance
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- This information is for the entrance located on the upper mall of Bluewater.
- The entrance area/door is clearly signed.
- There is step-free access at this entrance.
- There are no doors at this entrance.
- There are security barriers at this entrance.
- There is not a team member available for assistance at this entrance.
- There is not wayfinding signage available at this entrance.
Menswear
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Menswear
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- Menswear is located on the ground floor, ahead as you enter the lower mall - Thames Walk - Menswear entrance.
- There is step free access to Menswear.
- Main routes should have a width of 100cm with side aisles at a width of 75cm.
- There is step free access throughout the Menswear aisle(s).
- There is some flooring which includes patterns or colours which could be confusing or look like steps or holes to some people.
- There is some flooring which is shiny and could cause issues with glare or look slippery to some people.
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Till Point(s)
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- There is step free access to the Menswear till point(s).
- The nearest Menswear till point(s) is/are approximately 15m from the lower mall - Thames Walk - Menswear entrance.
- The till point(s) is/are clearly signed.
- The height of the Menswear till point(s) is/are 101cm.
- There is not a lowered section at the till point(s), however there are clipboards and portable chip & pin machines available.
- There is a hearing assistance system at the till point(s).
- The hearing assistance system is signed.
- The hearing assistance system was tested by an AccessAble surveyor.
- The hearing assistance system was tested on 12/11/2024.
- The hearing loop was working at the time of testing.
- There are not windows, TVs, glazed screens or mirrors behind the till point(s) which could adversely affect the ability of someone to lip read.
- The till point(s) is/are not placed in front of a background which is patterned.
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Accessible Fitting Room(s)
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- There is/are 12 fitting room(s) in total within Menswear, 1 of which is an accessible fitting room.
- There is step free access to the accessible fitting room(s).
- The accessible fitting room(s) is/are clearly signed.
- There is a curtain opening to access the accessible fitting room(s).
- The clear width of the fitting room opening is 123cm.
- The dimensions of the accessible fitting room(s) are 210cm x 227cm.
- There is clear manoeuvring space in the accessible fitting room(s).
- There is a/are wall mounted rail(s) in the accessible fitting room(s).
- There is a drop down rail in the accessible fitting room(s).
- There is a mirror in the accessible fitting room(s), the bottom edge of the mirror is 10cm from the floor.
- There is a/are coat hook(s) in the accessible fitting room(s), 150cm from the floor.
- There is a functional emergency alarm in the accessible fitting room(s).
- There is a bench seat in the accessible fitting room(s).
- The height of the chair from the floor is 48cm.
- There is not an assistance bell in the accessible fitting room(s), however if notified in advance a member of staff will be available for assistance if required.
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Standard Fitting Room(s)
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- There is/are 11 standard fitting room(s) within Menswear.
- There is step free access to the standard fitting room(s).
- The fitting room(s) is/are clearly signed.
- There is a chair/stool/changing bench in the standard fitting room(s).
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Comments
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- There is a self-service online order collection point in Menswear. The touchscreen is between 99cm and 112cm high. Bench seating is available while you wait for your order.
Home
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Home
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- The Home department is located on the ground floor, to the right of the store as you enter the lower mall - Thames Walk - Menswear entrance, or straight ahead as you enter through the Bath and Body Works entrance on the Bluewater lower mall - Thames Walk, through Bath and Body Works and White Barn.
- There is step free access to the Home department.
- Main routes should have a width of 100cm with side aisles at a width of 75cm.
- There is step free access throughout the Home department aisle(s).
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Till Point(s)
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- There is step free access to the Home department till point(s).
- The nearest Home department till point(s) is/are approximately 15m from the lower mall - Thames Walk - Menswear entrance.
- The till point(s) is/are clearly signed.
- The height of the Home department till point(s) is/are 100cm.
- There is not a lowered section at the till point(s), however there are clipboards and portable chip & pin machines available.
- There is not a hearing assistance system at the till point(s).
- There are not windows, TVs, glazed screens or mirrors behind the till point(s) which could adversely affect the ability of someone to lip read.
- The till point(s) is/are not placed in front of a background which is patterned.
Department (Bath and Body Works)
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Department
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- The department is located Bath and Body Works is located immediately ahead as you enter through the Bath and Body Works entrance on the Bluewater lower mall - Thames Walk.
- There is step free access to the department.
- Main routes should have a width of 100cm with side aisles at a width of 75cm.
- There is step free access throughout the aisle(s).
Department (White Barn)
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Department
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- The department is located White Barn is located straight ahead through Bath and Body Works as you enter through the Bath and Body Works entrance on the Bluewater lower mall - Thames Walk.
- There is step free access to the department.
- Main routes should have a width of 100cm with side aisles at a width of 75cm.
- There is step free access throughout the aisle(s).
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Till Point(s)
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- There is step free access to the till point(s).
- The nearest till point(s) is/are approximately 16m from the Bath and Body Works entrance on the Bluewater lower mall - Thames Walk.
- The till point(s) is/are not clearly signed.
- The height of the till point(s) is/are 106cm.
- There is not a lowered section at the till point(s), however there are clipboards and portable chip & pin machines available.
- There is a hearing assistance system at the till point(s).
- The hearing assistance system is signed.
- The hearing assistance system was tested by an AccessAble surveyor.
- The hearing assistance system was tested on 12/11/2024.
- The hearing loop was working at the time of testing.
- There are windows, TVs, glazed screens or mirrors behind the till point(s) which could adversely affect the ability of someone to lip read.
- The till point(s) is/are not placed in front of a background which is patterned.
Other Floors
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Stairs
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- Stairs can be used to access other floors.
- The stairs are for public use.
- The stairs are located at the rear of the store.
- The stairs are approximately 25m from the lower mall - Thames Walk - Menswear entrance.
- Signs indicating the location of the stairs are not available from the entrance.
- The floors which are accessible by stairs are ground floor and first floor.
- There are 15+ steps between floors.
- The height of the step(s) is/are between the recommended 15cm and 18cm.
- The going of the step(s) is/are not between the recommended 30cm and 45cm.
- The steps are clearly marked.
- There is a/are handrail(s) at the step(s).
- The steps have a handrail on both sides.
- Handrails are at the recommended height (90cm-100cm).
- Handrails do cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
- Handrails are easy to grip.
- Handrails do extend horizontally beyond the first and last steps.
- There is a landing.
- Clear signs indicating the facilities on each floor are not provided on landings.
- The lighting levels at the steps are good.
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Escalator(s)
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- Escalators can be used to access other floors.
- The escalator(s) is/are located to the left of the store as you enter the lower mall - Thames Walk - Menswear entrance.
- The escalator(s) is/are clearly visible from the entrance.
- The escalators go both up and down.
- The floors which are accessible by escalator(s) are ground floor and first floor.
- The escalator(s) steps are not clearly marked.
- The foot and head of the escalator(s) are not clearly marked.
- The lighting levels at the escalator(s) are good.
Lift
- There is a lift for public use.
- The lift is located to the rear right of the store as you enter the lower mall - Thames Walk - Menswear entrance.
- Signs indicating the location of the lift are clearly visible from the entrance.
- The lift is approximately 30m (32yd 2ft) from the lower mall - Thames Walk - Menswear entrance.
- The lift is a standard lift.
- A team member does not need to be notified for use of the lift.
- The floors which are accessible by this lift are ground floor and first floor.
- Clear signs indicating the facilities on each floor are provided on lift lobby landings.
- There is a clear level manoeuvring space of 150cm × 150cm in front of the lift.
- Lift doors do contrast visually with lift lobby walls.
- The external controls for the lift are within 90cm - 110cm from the floor.
- There is not a colour contrast between the external lift controls and the control plate.
- There is a medium colour contrast between the external lift control plate and the wall.
- The clear door width is 109cm (3ft 7in).
- The dimensions of the lift are 190cm x 190cm (6ft 3in x 6ft 3in).
- There are separate entry and exit doors in the lift.
- There is not a mirror to aid reversing out of the lift.
- There is a list of floor services available within the lift.
- The lift does have a visual floor indicator.
- The lift does have an audible announcer.
- The internal controls for the lift are within 90cm - 120cm from the floor.
- There is a hearing loop system.
- The lift does have Braille markings.
- The lift does have tactile markings.
- The lighting levels in the lift are low.
Womenswear
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Womenswear
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- Womenswear is located on the first floor, ahead as you enter the upper mall - Thames Walk - Womenswear entrance.
- There is step free access to Womenswear.
- Main routes should have a width of 100cm with side aisles at a width of 75cm.
- There is step free access throughout the Womenswear aisle(s).
- There is some flooring which includes patterns or colours which could be confusing or look like steps or holes to some people.
- There is some flooring which is shiny and could cause issues with glare or look slippery to some people.
- There is a browse and order hub within Womenswear.
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Till Point(s)
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- There is step free access to the Womenswear till point(s).
- The nearest Womenswear till point(s) is/are approximately 15m from the upper mall - Thames Walk - Womenswear entrance.
- The till point(s) is/are clearly signed.
- The height of the Womenswear till point(s) is/are 103cm.
- There is not a lowered section at the till point(s), however there are clipboards and portable chip & pin machines available.
- There is a hearing assistance system at the till point(s).
- The hearing assistance system is signed.
- The hearing assistance system was tested by an AccessAble surveyor.
- The hearing assistance system was tested on 12/11/2024.
- The hearing loop was working at the time of testing.
- There are not windows, TVs, glazed screens or mirrors behind the till point(s) which could adversely affect the ability of someone to lip read.
- The till point(s) is/are not placed in front of a background which is patterned.
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Accessible Fitting Room(s)
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- There is/are 21 fitting room(s) in total within Womenswear, 1 of which is an accessible fitting room.
- There is step free access to the accessible fitting room(s).
- The accessible fitting room(s) is/are not clearly signed.
- There is a curtain opening to access the accessible fitting room(s).
- The clear width of the fitting room opening is 90cm.
- The dimensions of the accessible fitting room(s) are 217cm x 197cm.
- There is clear manoeuvring space in the accessible fitting room(s).
- There is a/are wall mounted rail(s) in the accessible fitting room(s).
- There is a drop down rail in the accessible fitting room(s).
- There is a mirror in the accessible fitting room(s), the bottom edge of the mirror is 10cm from the floor.
- There is a/are coat hook(s) in the accessible fitting room(s), 126cm from the floor.
- There is a functional emergency alarm in the accessible fitting room(s).
- There is a bench seat in the accessible fitting room(s).
- The height of the chair from the floor is 48cm.
- There is not an assistance bell in the accessible fitting room(s), however if notified in advance a member of staff will be available for assistance if required.
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Standard Fitting Room(s)
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- There is/are 20 standard fitting room(s) within Womenswear.
- There is step free access to the standard fitting room(s).
- The fitting room(s) is/are clearly signed.
- There is a chair/stool/changing bench in the standard fitting room(s).
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Comments
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- There is an online order return point in Womenswear. The touchscreen has a height range of 133cm-146cm.
Lingerie
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Lingerie
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- Lingerie is located on the first floor, to the rear of the Womenswear department as you enter the upper mall - Thames Walk - Womenswear entrance.
- There is step free access to Lingerie.
- Main routes should have a width of 100cm with side aisles at a width of 75cm.
- There is step free access throughout the Lingerie aisle(s).
- There is flooring which includes patterns or colours which could be confusing or look like steps or holes to some people.
- There is flooring which is shiny and could cause issues with glare or look slippery to some people.
Childrenswear
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Childrenswear
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- Childrenswear is located on the first floor, to the left of the store as you enter the upper mall - Thames Walk - Womenswear entrance.
- There is step free access to Childrenswear.
- Main routes should have a width of 100cm with side aisles at a width of 75cm.
- There is step free access throughout the Childrenswear aisle(s).
- There is some flooring which includes patterns or colours which could be confusing or look like steps or holes to some people.
- There is some flooring which is shiny and could cause issues with glare or look slippery to some people.
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Till Point(s)
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- There is step free access to the Childrenswear till point(s).
- The nearest Childrenswear till point(s) is/are approximately 15m from the upper mall - Thames Walk - Womenswear entrance.
- The till point(s) is/are not clearly signed.
- The height of the Childrenswear till point(s) is/are 100cm.
- There is not a lowered section at the till point(s), however there are clipboards and portable chip & pin machines available.
- There is not a hearing assistance system at the till point(s).
- There are not windows, TVs, glazed screens or mirrors behind the till point(s) which could adversely affect the ability of someone to lip read.
- The till point(s) is/are placed in front of a background which is patterned.
Lipsy
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Lipsy
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- Lipsy is located on the first floor, straight ahead through Womenswear as you enter the upper mall - Thames Walk - Womenswear entrance.
- There is step free access to Lipsy.
- Main routes should have a width of 100cm with side aisles at a width of 75cm.
- There is step free access throughout the Lipsy aisle(s).
- There is flooring which includes patterns or colours which could be confusing or look like steps or holes to some people.
- There is flooring which is shiny and could cause issues with glare or look slippery to some people.
Toilet with Adaptations
- There is not an/are not accessible toilet(s) for public use.
Standard Toilet(s)
- Standard toilet facilities are not available.
Public Facilities
- A Changing Places facility is available within the shopping centre.
- There is an accessible toilet available within the shopping centre.
- Standard toilets are available within the shopping centre.
- Baby changing facilities are available within the shopping centre.