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The Ark

109 High Street, Newmarket, Suffolk, CB8 8JH

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Access Guide

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Introduction

  • Services / facilities within the building include Live music venue and bar.

Opening Times

  • Please contact the venue for details of opening times and opening times do vary depending on performances.

Location

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

Parking

  • The venue does not have its own car park.

Outside Access (Main Front Entrance)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located at the front of the building.
    • There is stepped access at this entrance.
    • There is a bell/buzzer.
    • The height of the bell/buzzer is 155cm (5ft 1in).
    • There is not an intercom.
    • The main door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
    • The door(s) is/are permanently held open.
    • The door(s) is/are double width.
    • The width of the door opening is 148cm.
    • There is a small lip on the threshold of the entrance, with a height of 2cm or below.
  • Step(s) View
    • The step(s) is/are located leading from the pavement to the entrance doors.
    • There is/are 8 step(s).
    • The step(s) is/are not clearly marked.
    • The height of the step(s) is/are between 15cm and 18cm.
    • The height of the step(s) is/are 18cm.
    • There is a/are handrail(s) at the step(s).
    • The handrail(s) is/are on both sides.
    • Handrails are at the recommended height (90cm-100cm).
    • Handrails do not cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
    • Handrails are easy to grip.
    • Handrails do not extend horizontally beyond the first and last steps.

Outside Access (Rear Access)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located at the rear of the venue.
    • There is ramped/sloped access at this entrance.
    • There is not a bell/buzzer.
    • There is not an intercom.
    • The main door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
    • The door(s) may be difficult to open.
    • The door(s) is/are double width but one door is locked.
    • The width of the door opening is 62cm.
    • There is a small lip on the threshold of the entrance, with a height of 2cm or below.
  • Ramp/Slope View
    • The ramp/slope is located leading to the door threshold.
    • The gradient of the ramp/slope is slight.
    • The ramp/slope is permanent.
    • There is not a level landing at the top of the ramp/slope.
    • There is not a/are not handrail(s) at the ramp.
    • The width of the ramp/slope is 130cm (4ft 3in).
  • Comments View
    • This access is officially a fire exit.
      In order to utilise this entrance, someone would first need to check in at the front reception, then a member of staff would then open rear door.

Reception

  • The desk/counter is 3m (3yd 10in) from the front 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 low to moderate.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • The hearing assistance system is not signed.

Level Change (To VIP seating area)

  • There is a/are step(s) to access this area/service.
  • The step(s) is/are located to the rear right of the venue.
  • There is/are 10 step(s) to the area/service.
  • The lighting levels at the step(s) are low to moderate.
  • There is not tactile paving at the top and bottom of the steps.
  • The step(s) is/are clearly marked.
  • The step(s) is/are medium height (11cm - 17cm).
  • There is a/are handrail(s) at the step(s).
  • The handrail(s) is/are on the right going up the step(s).

Level Change (to Dance Floor from Reception Level)

  • There is a/are step(s) to access this area/service.
  • The step(s) is/are located to the rear left as you enter the venue.
  • There is/are 13 step(s) to the area/service.
  • The lighting levels at the step(s) are low to moderate.
  • There is not tactile paving at the top and bottom of the steps.
  • The step(s) is/are clearly marked.
  • The step(s) is/are medium height (11cm - 17cm).
  • There is a/are handrail(s) at the step(s).
  • The handrail(s) is/are on both sides.

Level Change (To and From the Dance Floor to the Bar Area)

  • There is a/are step(s) to access this area/service.
  • The step(s) is/are located between the bar and the dance floor.
  • There is/are 4 step(s) to the area/service.
  • The lighting levels at the step(s) are low to moderate.
  • 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 medium height (11cm - 17cm).
  • There is not a/are not handrail(s) at the step(s).

Inside Access

  • There is not level access to the service(s).
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • This venue does play background music.
  • Music is played all the time.
  • Motorised scooters are not welcomed in public parts of the venue.
  • The lighting levels are varied.

Eating and Drinking

  • The following information is for the bar.
  • The bar is located at the rear of the dance floor and venue.
  • The bar does not serve food.
  • Food or drinks are ordered from the service counter.
  • Food or drinks cannot be brought to the table.
  • There is not a lowered section at the counter.
  • No tables are permanently fixed.
  • All chairs are permanently fixed.
  • No chairs have armrests.
  • The nearest table is approximately 3m (3yd 10in) from the rear entrance.
  • The distance between the floor and the lowest table is 48cm (1ft 7in).
  • The distance between the floor and the highest table is 78cm (2ft 7in).
  • There is ample room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
  • Plastic / takeaway cups are available.
  • Drinking straws are available.
  • Children are not welcomed in the bar area.
  • Comments View
    • There is a small auxiliary bar located on the landing prior to the ascent to the VIP seating.

Accessible Toilet

  • Accessible toilet facilities are not available.

Standard Toilet(s)

Additional Info

  • Documents are not available in Braille.
  • Documents are not available in large print.
  • A bowl of water cannot be provided for an assistance dog.
  • A member of staff trained in BSL skills is not normally on duty.
  • This service cannot be requested.