Access Guide
Introduction
- Services / facilities within the building include a theatre, café bar and a meeting room.
Opening Times
- Monday 10:00 - 23:00.
- Tuesday 10:00 - 23:00.
- Wednesday 10:00 - 21:00.
- Thursday 10:00 - 21:00.
- Friday 10:00 - 20:00.
- Saturday 10:00 - 20:00.
- Sunday 14:00 - 23:00.
Location
- There is a bus stop within 150m (164yds) of the venue.
- The nearest National Rail station is Manors.
- The nearest Metro Station is North Shields.
Parking
- The venue does not have its own car park.
-
Public Car Parks
View
- There is a car park for public use within 200m (approx).
- The name of the car park is The Beacon Shopping Centre car park.
- The car park is located in Saville Street.
-
On Street Blue Badge Parking
View
- On street marked Blue Badge bays are not available.
-
Drop-off Point
View
- There is not a designated drop off point.
-
Comments
View
- There is also a public car park on Norfolk Street, behind The Exchange which is free for 2 hours between 09:00-18:00pm.
Outside Access (Courtyard Entrance)
-
Entrance
View
- This information is for the entrance located en-route to the entrances.
- There is ramped/sloped access at this entrance.
- The main door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
- The door(s) is/are double width.
- The width of the door opening is 172cm.
-
Ramp/Slope
View
- The ramp/slope is located in front of and beyond the entrance.
- The gradient of the ramp/slope is steep.
Outside Access (Box Office Entrance)
-
Entrance
View
- This information is for the entrance located to the left as you enter the courtyard entrance.
- There is step-free access at this entrance.
- The main door(s) open(s) automatically.
- The main automatic door(s) is/are push pad or push button activated.
- The push pad or push button is 97cm from floor level.
- The door(s) is/are single width.
- The width of the door opening is 114cm.
Reception (Box Office)
- The desk/counter is 3m (3yd 10in) from the box office entrance.
- There is level access to the desk/counter from the entrance.
- The desk/counter is high (110cm+).
- The desk/counter does not have a low (76cm or lower) section.
- The lighting levels are good.
- There is a hearing assistance system.
- The type of system is a portable loop.
- The hearing assistance system is signed.
- Staff are trained to use the system.
- The hearing assistance system was tested by an AccessAble surveyor.
- The hearing assistance system was tested on 03/09/2020.
- The hearing assistance system was working at the time of testing.
Level Change (Courtyard)
- There is a ramp/slope to access this area/service.
- The ramp/slope is located in the courtyard, leading to the courtyard seating and foyer entrance.
- The ramp/slope gradient is slight.
- The ramp/slope is permanent.
- There is a level landing at the top of the ramp/slope.
- The ramp does have handrails.
- The handrails are on both sides.
- There is a/are step(s) to access this area/service.
- The step(s) is/are located in the courtyard.
- There is/are 2 step(s) to the area/service.
- There is not tactile paving at the top and bottom of the steps.
- The step(s) is/are not clearly marked.
- The step(s) is/are deep (18cm+).
- There is not a/are not handrail(s) at the step(s).
- The ramp/slope does bypass the step(s).
-
Comments
View
- There are 2 similar sets of steps in the courtyard.
Outside Access (Main Entrance)
-
Entrance
View
- This information is for the entrance located in the courtyard.
- There is step-free access at this entrance.
- There is not a bell/buzzer.
- There is not an intercom.
- The main door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
- The door(s) is/are single width.
- The width of the door opening is 86cm.
Inside Access
- There is level access to the service(s).
- There is a hearing assistance system.
- The system is a fixed loop.
- Staff are trained to use the system.
- The hearing assistance system was not tested at the time of the survey.
- This venue does play background music.
- Music is played in the auditorium during shows, and in the café bar at certain times.
- Motorised scooters are welcomed in public parts of the venue.
- The lighting levels are good.
Eating and Drinking (Café Bar)
- The following information is for the café/bar.
- The café/bar is located to the right as you enter via the foyer entrance.
- The bar does serve food.
- Full table service is not available.
- Food or drinks are ordered from the service counter.
- There is not a lowered section at the counter.
- No tables are permanently fixed.
- No chairs are permanently fixed.
- Some chairs have armrests.
- The nearest table is approximately 5m (5yd 1ft) from the foyer entrance.
- The distance between the floor and the lowest table is 71cm (2ft 4in).
- The distance between the floor and the highest table is 95cm (3ft 1in).
- The standard height for tables is 71cm.
- There is ample room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
- Plastic / takeaway cups are available.
- Plastic / takeaway cutlery is available.
- Drinking straws are available.
- Menus are hand held and wall.
- Menus are not available in Braille.
- Menus are not available in large print.
- Picture menus are not available.
- Menus are clearly written.
- Menus are presented in contrasting colours.
- The type of food served here is hot and cold meals and snacks.
-
Comments
View
- There is access to the café bar from the courtyard via sliding doors, as well as the foyer entrance.
- Additional seating is accessed by 2 medium height steps without handrails but is temporary, as this is on the stage which is usually kept clear for performances.
- Seating is also available in the courtyard.
- Food is delivered to the table.
- Drinks can be delivered to the table if required.
Outside Access (Café Exit)
-
Entrance
View
- This information is for the entrance located in the rear right part of the café, leading into the courtyard.
- There is stepped access at this entrance.
- The main door(s) open(s) by sliding.
- The door(s) is/are double width.
- The width of the door opening is 105cm.
-
Step(s)
View
- The step(s) is/are located in the doorway.
- There is/are 1 step(s).
- The step(s) is/are clearly marked.
- The height of the step(s) is/are not between 15cm and 18cm.
- The height of the step(s) is/are 3cm.
- There is not a/are not handrail(s) at the step(s).
-
Comments
View
- This is being used as the exit for the one-way system through the bar due to Covid regulations.
- The doors would not normally be kept open unless it is summer.
Level Change (Auditorium)
- There is a/are step(s) to access this area/service.
- The step(s) is/are located leading to the auditorium.
- There is/are 5 step(s) to the area/service.
- The lighting levels at the step(s) are good.
- The step(s) is/are clearly marked.
- The step(s) is/are deep (18cm+).
- There is a/are handrail(s) at the step(s).
- The handrail(s) is/are on both sides.
- There is a lift to access this area/service.
- The lift does bypass the step(s).
Lift
- There is a lift for public use.
- The lift is located at the rear of the foyer as you enter via the foyer entrance.
- The lift is a standard lift.
- The floors which are accessible by this lift are G, M, 1.
- Wall mounted information boards are provided at lift landings.
- The lift is approximately 5m (5yd 1ft) from the foyer entrance.
- Staff do not need to be notified for use of the lift.
- The clear door width is 88cm (2ft 11in).
- The dimensions of the lift are 139cm x 150cm (4ft 7in x 4ft 11in).
- There are separate entry and exit doors in the lift.
- There is not a mirror to aid reversing out of the lift.
- The lift does have a visual floor indicator.
- The lift does not have an audible announcer.
- The controls for the lift are within 90cm - 120cm from the floor.
- The lift does not have Braille markings.
- The lift does have tactile markings.
- The lighting level in the lift is good.
-
Comments
View
- Floor M gives access to the auditorium.
Theatre
- Wheelchairs are left with you.
- A companion may sit with you.
- Companions sit next to you.
- This venue does not provide audio described performances.
- There is a hearing assistance system.
- The hearing assistance system is a fixed loop.
- Staff are trained to use the hearing assistance system.
- A deposit is not required for the hearing assistance system.
- The hearing assistance system was not tested at the time of the survey.
- There is not a wheelchair to borrow.
- Concessions are available.
- Assistance dogs are allowed in the auditorium.
-
Comments
View
- The seating layout and location of designated seating varies depending on the type of performance taking place.
Accessible Toilet
- Accessible toilet facilities are available.
-
Location and Access
View
- There is Braille, tactile, pictorial and written text signage on or near the toilet door.
- This accessible toilet is approximately 6m (6yd 1ft) from the foyer entrance.
- This accessible toilet is located along the corridor ahead as you enter via the foyer entrance.
- There is level access to this accessible toilet.
-
Features and Dimensions
View
- This is a shared toilet.
- A key is not required for the accessible toilet.
- The door opens outwards.
- The door is locked by a lever twist.
- The width of the accessible toilet door is 92cm (3ft).
- The door may be difficult to open.
- The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 185cm x 183cm (6ft 1in x 6ft).
- There is not sufficient turning space in the cubicle for a wheelchair user.
- There is a lateral transfer space.
- As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on the right.
- The lateral transfer space is 139cm (4ft 7in).
- There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
- There is a flush on the transfer side.
- The tap type is lever.
- There is a mixer tap.
- There is an emergency alarm.
- The emergency pull cord alarm is fully functional.
- Disposal facilities are available in the cubicle.
- There is a/are non-infectious waste, open waste paper bin and sanitary disposal units.
- There is not a/are not coat hook(s).
-
Position of Fixtures
View
- Wall mounted grab rails are available for the toilet.
- As you face the toilet the wall-mounted grab rails are on the left.
- There is not a shelf within the accessible toilet.
- There is a mirror.
- Mirrors are not placed at a lower level or at an angle for ease of use.
- The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 45cm (1ft 6in).
- There is a hand dryer.
- The hand dryer cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The hand dryer is not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
- There is not a towel dispenser.
- There is a toilet roll holder.
- The toilet roll holder can be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The toilet roll holder is placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
- The height of the toilet roll holder is 103cm (3ft 5in).
- There is a wash basin.
- The wash basin can be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The wash basin is not placed higher than 74cm (2ft 5in).
-
Colour Contrast and Lighting
View
- The contrast between the external door and wall is good.
- There is a high colour contrast between the internal door and wall.
- The contrast between the wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is poor.
- There is a poor colour contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall.
- The contrast between the walls and floor is fair.
- The lighting levels are good.
Standard Toilet(s)
-
Availability and Location of Standard Toilets
View
- Standard toilet facilities are available.
-
Access to Standard Female and Male Toilet(s)
View
- The female and male toilet facilities that were surveyed are located along the corridor ahead as you enter via the foyer entrance.
- The female and male toilets are approximately 7m (7yd 1ft) from the foyer entrance.
- Inside the venue, there is level access to the female and male toilets.
- Lighting levels in the female and male toilets are good.
-
Baby Change Facilities
View
- Baby change facilities are located within the venue.
- Baby change facilities are located within the standard female toilets.
- The height of the baby change table once extended is 89cm (2ft 11in).
Additional Info
- Documents can be requested in Braille.
- Documents can be requested in large print.
- A bowl of water can be provided for an assistance dog.
- A member of staff trained in BSL skills is not normally on duty.
- This service cannot be requested.