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Poets House

St Mary's Street, Ely , Cambridgeshire, CB7 4EY

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Access Guide

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Introduction

  • Services / facilities within the building include a bar, restaurant, breakfast rooms and multiple accommodation rooms.

Opening Times

  • Reception is staffed 24 hours per day.

Location

  • There is a bus stop within 150m (164yds) of the venue.
  • The nearest National Rail station is Ely.

Parking

  • The venue does have its own car park.
  • Venue Car Park View
    • Parking is free for all users.
    • The car park is located in the centre of the courtyard.
    • The car park type is open air/surface.
    • Parking spaces for Blue Badge holders cannot booked in advance.
    • There is/are 2 Blue Badge parking bay(s) within the car park.
    • The nearest Blue Badge bay is 14m (15yd 11in) from the main entrance.
    • The furthest Blue Badge bay is 16m (17yd 1ft) from the main entrance.
    • The route from the car park to the entrance is accessible to a wheelchair user unaided.
    • The car park surface is block paving.
    • There is not a road to cross between the car park and the entrance.
    • The car park does not have a height restriction barrier.
  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is a designated drop off point.
    • The drop off point is located in the courtyard.
  • Comments View
    • Poets House also has several parking spaces in the Barton Road car park.

Outside Access (Main Entrance)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located on the left as you enter the courtyard.
    • There is step-free access at this entrance.
    • The main door(s) open(s) automatically (towards you).
    • The door(s) is/are double width.
    • The width of the door opening is 151cm.
    • There is a small lip on the threshold of the entrance, with a height of 2cm or below.

Reception

  • The desk/counter is 3m (3yd 10in) from the main entrance.
  • There is level access to the desk/counter from the entrance.
  • The desk/counter is medium height (77cm - 109cm).
  • The desk/counter does not have a low (76cm or lower) section.
  • The lighting levels are medium.
  • There is a hearing assistance system.
  • The hearing system is available only on request.
  • The type of system is a portable loop.
  • Staff are not trained to use the system.

Inside Access

  • There is level access to the service(s).
  • This venue does play background music.
  • Music is played within the bar and restaurant.
  • Motorised scooters are welcomed in public parts of the venue.
  • The lighting levels are medium.

Eating and Drinking (The Sonnet Bar)

  • The following information is for the bar.
  • The bar is located to the right as you enter.
  • The bar does serve food.
  • Full table service is available.
  • Food or drinks are ordered from the service counter.
  • Food or drinks can be brought to the table.
  • 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 6m (6yd 1ft) from the main entrance.
  • The distance between the floor and the lowest table is 33cm (1ft 1in).
  • The distance between the floor and the highest table is 50cm (1ft 8in).
  • There is ample room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
  • Plastic / takeaway cups are not available.
  • Plastic / takeaway cutlery is not available.
  • Drinking straws are available.
  • Children are welcomed in the bar area.
  • Menus are hand held only.
  • 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 a modern bar menu.

Eating and Drinking (The Dining Room)

  • The following information is for the restaurant.
  • The restaurant is located to the left as you enter.
  • Full table service is available.
  • No tables are permanently fixed.
  • Some chairs are permanently fixed.
  • No chairs have armrests.
  • The nearest table is approximately 11m (12yd 1in) from the main entrance.
  • The standard height for tables is 74cm.
  • There is ample room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
  • Plastic / takeaway cups are not available.
  • Plastic / takeaway cutlery is not available.
  • Drinking straws are available.
  • Menus are hand held only.
  • 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 Fine Dining.

Eating and Drinking (The Writing Room)

  • The following information is for the breakfast area.
  • The restaurant is located on the far right of the building off the Sonnet Bar.
  • Full table service is available.
  • Food or drinks are not ordered from the service counter.
  • No tables are permanently fixed.
  • No chairs are permanently fixed.
  • Some chairs have armrests.
  • The nearest table is approximately 22m (24yd 2in) from the main entrance.
  • The standard height for tables is 75cm.
  • There is ample room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
  • Plastic / takeaway cups are not available.
  • Plastic / takeaway cutlery is not available.
  • Drinking straws are available.
  • Menus are hand held only.
  • 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 breakfasts only.
  • Comments View
    • The breakfast area has a small buffet self service area on the far right and is 75cm high.

Other Floors

  • Steps View
    • The floors which are accessible by stairs are G, 1, 2.
    • There are 15+ steps between floors.
    • The steps are not clearly marked.
    • The steps are medium (11cm - 17cm).
    • The steps do have handrails.
    • The steps have a handrail on the right going up.
    • There is not a landing.
    • The lighting levels are medium.
  • Other View
    • The area(s)/service(s) on the floors which are not accessible is/are the standard toilets and the boardroom on the right half of the first floor.
  • Comments View
    • There is a similar staircase on the right of the building, off the Sonnet Bar.

Lift

  • There is a lift for public use.
  • The lift is located to the left as you enter.
  • The lift is a standard lift.
  • The floors which are accessible by this lift are G, 1, 2.
  • The lift is approximately 7m (7yd 1ft) from the main entrance.
  • Staff do not need to be notified for use of the lift.
  • The clear door width is 80cm (2ft 7in).
  • The dimensions of the lift are 92cm x 89cm (3ft x 2ft 11in).
  • There are not separate entry and exit doors in the lift.
  • There is a mirror to aid reversing out of the lift.
  • The lift does have a visual floor indicator.
  • The lift does have an audible announcer.
  • The controls for the lift are not within 90cm - 120cm from the floor.
  • The lift controls are 80cm high.
  • The lift does not have Braille markings.
  • The lift does have tactile markings.
  • The lighting level in the lift is medium.

Room

  • General Information View
    • The Tourist Board rating is 4 Star.
    • There are 21 rooms in total.
    • There are 2 standard ground floor rooms.
    • There are 18 standard rooms on other floors.
  • Accessible Rooms View
    • There are accessible ensuite facilities.
    • There is / are 1 room(s) which has / have accessible ensuite facilities.
    • There is / are 0 adjoining room(s) available for carers.
  • Location and Access View
    • The accessible room viewed is 16m (17yd 1ft) from the main entrance.
    • There is level access from an accessible entrance.
    • No accessible rooms are located in a separate building from the main hotel.
  • Accessible Room View
    • The room number or room name viewed was Suite 4.
    • The width of the door is 87cm.
    • The height of the bed is 58cm.
    • The measurement between the bed base and floor is 3cm (1in).
    • Light switches are not within 120cm from floor level.
    • There is not a functional emergency alarm in the room.
    • No emergency alarm is fitted in the room.
    • Assistance dogs are welcomed to stay with guests in accessible rooms.
  • Accessible Ensuite View
    • The width of the door to the ensuite is 80cm (2ft 7in).
    • The door opens inwards.
    • The door weight is light.
    • The door is locked by a twist lock.
    • The dimensions of the accessible ensuite are 153cm x 278cm (5ft x 9ft 1in).
    • There is a lateral transfer space.
    • As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on the right.
    • The lateral transfer space is 156cm (5ft 1in).
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • There is not a flush on the transfer side.
    • Wall mounted grab rails are available for the toilet.
    • As you face the toilet, the wall mounted grab rails are on the right.
    • The toilet seat is 50cm (1ft 8in) above floor level.
    • There is a toilet roll holder.
    • The toilet roll holder can be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The toilet roll holder is not placed higher than 100cm in height.
    • There is a sink.
    • The sink cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The height of the sink is 88cm (2ft 11in).
    • The tap type is lever.
    • There is a mixer tap for the sink.
    • There is not a functional emergency alarm available in the ensuite.
    • Disposal facilities are available.
    • There are mirrors.
    • Mirrors are not placed at a lower level or at an angle for ease of use.
  • Bath and Shower View
    • There is a bath.
    • The height of the side of the bath from floor level is 67cm (2ft 2in).
    • The tap type is lever.
    • There is a mixer tap.
    • There is not a shower over the bath.
    • There are not handrails available for the bath.
  • Wheel In Shower View
    • There is a wheel in shower.
    • The shower head is adjustable.
    • The shower control type is lever.
    • The shower seat is flip-down.
    • The flip-down or fixed seat height is 48cm (1ft 7in).
    • There are handrails available for the shower.
  • Signage, colour contrast and lighting in accessible rooms View
    • There is tactile signage on or near the hotel door.
    • The colour contrast between the external hotel room door and wall is good.
    • The colour contrast between the walls and floor is good.
    • The colour contrast between the internal hotel room door and wall is good.
    • The colour contrast between the external ensuite door and wall is good.
    • Lighting levels are medium.
  • Colour contrast and lighting in accessible ensuite View
    • The colour contrast between the internal ensuite door and wall is good.
    • The colour contrast between the walls and floor in the ensuite is good.
    • The colour contrast between the drop down rails and wall is good.
    • The colour contrast between the grab rails and wall is good.
    • Lighting levels are medium.
  • Auxiliary Aids - General View
    • Some hotel rooms have auxiliary aids for people with sensory impairments.
    • The available auxiliary aid(s) is(are) vibrating pillow(s) and Teletext/subtitles.
    • Vibrating fire alarms are available from reception.
    • The hotel does not provide other auxiliary aids for people with mobility impairments.
  • Ground Floor Standard Rooms View
    • There are not standard rooms on the ground floor.
  • Standard Rooms on Other Floors View
    • There are standard rooms on other floors.
    • The other floors can be accessed by lift.
    • Adjoining rooms are not available.

Accessible Toilet

  • Accessible toilet facilities are available.
  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet is not for the sole use of disabled people.
    • There is written text signage on or near the toilet door.
    • This accessible toilet is approximately 19m (20yd 2ft) from the main entrance.
    • This accessible toilet is located at the front left of the restaurant.
    • 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 88cm (2ft 11in).
    • The door is light.
    • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 150cm x 215cm (4ft 11in x 7ft 1in).
    • 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 80cm (2ft 7in).
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • There is a flush, however it is not 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 not fully functional.
    • The alarm was out of reach (higher than 10cm (4") from floor) when surveyed.
    • Disposal facilities are available in the cubicle.
    • There is a/are sanitary, waste paper pedal bin and non-infectious waste disposal units.
    • There is a/are 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 both sides.
    • There is a shelf within the accessible toilet.
    • The shelf is not higher than 95cm (3ft 1in).
    • 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 49cm (1ft 7in).
    • There is not a hand dryer.
    • 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 not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • There is a wash basin.
    • The wash basin can be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is placed higher than 74cm (2ft 5in).
    • The height of the wash basin is 79cm (2ft 7in).
  • 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 good.
    • There is a good colour contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall.
    • The contrast between the walls and floor is good.
    • The lighting levels are medium.
  • Baby Change Facilities View
    • Baby change facilities are located within the venue.
    • Baby change facilities are located within the accessible toilet.
    • The height of the baby change table once extended is 77cm (2ft 6in).

Standard Toilet(s)

Additional Info

  • Staff do receive disability awareness / equality training.
  • Documents are not available 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.