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.

St James Quarter - Level 5

St James Quarter, St James Crescent, Edinburgh, EH1 3AD

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

Getting Here (St James Quarter)

Getting Help and Assistance

  • For more information on guest services available please click here (new tab).
  • For information on the Hands Free Shopping Dropit shopping service please click here (new tab).
  • There is a Hands-Free Shopping service.
  • St James Quarter Hands Free Shopping is provided by Dropit. Download the Dropit app to book and have parcels dropped at participating stores, Guest Services, or even direct to your home.
  • Guest Services Associates, Security Officers, Cleaning Operatives and Car Park Attendants receive Autism Awareness training.
  • There is a member of staff trained in British Sign Language. Please phone the venue in advance for more information
  • Guest Services Associates do receive training in escorting visually impaired people.
  • For assistance in getting around the shopping centre, or for assistance in getting directions, guests should ideally contact Guest Services before visiting, or go to the Guest Services counter or reception on Level 1 Yellow Zone - Multrees end.
  • The alternative formats documents can be provided in include; large print on request.
  • There is not an assistance dog toilet or toileting area at the venue/nearby.
  • There is a designated place of safety which can be used by people with dementia, autism or learning disabilities.
  • There is a place of safety located in the security team offices. Please contact a member of the security staff for assistance.
    Alternatively, there is a quiet lounge area within the Guest Services reception on Level 1 Yellow Zone - Multrees end.
  • The venue does not offer a quiet shopping experience.
  • Water bowls for assistance dogs are available.
  • There are mobility aids available.
  • The mobility aids available include motorised wheelchairs, mobility scooters, wheelchairs and tri wheel walkers.
  • To obtain mobility aids please contact Guest Services.
  • There are dog water bowls throughout the galleria.
  • For assistance in the car park, or for getting from the car park to the shopping area, please press the button at one of the help points near the lifts on each car park level.
  • There are water refill stations on every level of the car park, as well as on levels 1, 2, and 3 of the galleria itself.
  • Phone charger power packs are available to rent or buy. Details may be find on the charging stations in lift lobbies. Alternatively, you can charge your phone at Guest Services free of charge. All you need is your charging cable.

Opening Hours

Escalator(s)

  • Wayfinding signage is provided for escalators.
  • The escalators go both up and down.
  • The floors which are accessible by escalator(s) are B3, B2, B1, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5.
  • 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.
  • There is/are 3 escalator area(s) in the Yellow - Multrees, Blue - Picardy and Red - Princes Street Zones.
  • The other escalator area(s) is/are similar.
  • Not all elevators serve all floors.
    The escalators in Yellow Zone - Multrees serve levels B3, B2, B1, 1, 2 and 3.
    The escalators in Blue Zone - Picardy serve levels 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5.
    The escalators in Red Zone serve levels 1, 2, 3 and 4.

Summary (St James Quarter - Level 5)

Other Floors (Blue Zone - Picardy)

  • Stairs can be used to access other floors.
  • The stairs are located in the Blue Zone, to the right as you enter via the Picardy entrance.
  • There are manual, heavy, double doors to enter and exit the stairwell on all floors.
  • The floors which are accessible by stairs are B3, B2, B1, L1, L2, L3, L4, L5.
  • 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 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 provided on landings.
  • The lighting levels at the steps are good.
  • Comments View
    • There is a second similar staircase next to this staircase that only serves levels 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.

Lift (Blue Zone - Picardy)

  • There is a lift for public use.
  • The lift is located in the Blue Zone to the right as you enter via the Picardy entrance.
  • Signs indicating the location of the lift are clearly visible from the entrance.
  • The lift is approximately 30m (32yd 2ft) from the Picardy entrance.
  • There is 1 other lift in this location.
  • The other lift has very similar/identical specifications.
  • The lift is a standard lift.
  • A member of staff does not need to be notified for use of the lift.
  • The floors which are accessible by this lift are B3, B2, B1, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.
  • 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.
  • The colour contrast between the external lift controls and the control plate is high.
  • The clear door width is 110cm (3ft 7in).
  • The dimensions of the lift are 145cm x 230cm (4ft 9in x 7ft 7in).
  • There are no separate entry and exit doors in the lift.
  • There is a mirror to aid reversing out of the lift.
  • There is not a list of floor services available within 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.
  • There is not a hearing loop system.
  • The lift does not have Braille markings.
  • The lift does have tactile markings.
  • The lighting levels in the lift are good.
  • There is a/are similar lift(s) available.
  • Comments View
    • There are full wall screens with changing scenes and music and audio to match the scenes.
    • On car park levels B1, B2 and B3 there are unmarked bollards, 100cm high with a minimum width of 110cm between them at the entrance to the Blue Zone lift lobbies.

External Area(s) (Level 5)

  • Digital wayfinders are not available.
  • Overhead signs are provided to aid wayfinding.
  • Information posts are provided to aid wayfinding.
  • Wall mounted signs are provided to aid wayfinding.
  • Dementia friendly signs are provided to aid wayfinding.
  • This external area is partially covered.
  • The type of flooring in this area is stone and concrete.
  • There is high colour contrast between the walls and floor in all areas.
  • Background music is not played in this area.
  • There is step free access in this area.
  • There are pillars and flower planters throughout the area in both walkways and on terraces.

Location of Toilet/Changing Facilities

  • Changing Places facilities are located on level 1 at the Red Zone Princes Street end.
  • Accessible toilet facilities are located at Level B3, Blue Zone lift lobby - Left Hand Transfer; Level B2, Blue Zone lift lobby - Left Hand Transfer; Level B1, Blue Zone lift lobby - Left Hand Transfer; Level 1, Yellow Zone, Guest Services - Right Hand Transfer; Level 1, Red Zone - Right Hand Transfer; Level 1, Red Zone lift lobby - Left Hand Transfer; Level 3, Blue Zone, next to lift lobby - Left Hand Transfer and Level 4, Blue Zone, next to lift lobby - Left Hand Transfer.
  • Female and male standard toilet facilities are located on Level 1, Red Zone; Level 3, Blue Zone and Level 4, Blue Zone..
  • Parent and baby changing facilities are located on Level 1, Red Zone; Level 3, Blue Zone and Level 4, Blue Zone.

Toilet with Adaptations

  • There is not an/are not accessible toilet(s) available.
  • The nearest accessible toilet(s) is/are located on Level 4 in the Blue Zone by the lifts.
  • Comments View
    • The accessible toilet located on level 5 is permanently closed.

Standard Toilet(s)

  • Standard toilet facilities are not available.
  • The nearest standard toilet(s) is/are located on Level 4 in the Blue Zone by the lifts.
  • Comments View
    • The standard toilets located on level 5 are permanently closed.