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Sunderland Minster

High Street West, Sunderland, Tyne & Wear, SR1 3ET

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About this venue

Sunderland Minster provides a ‘ministry’ for a wide range of ecumenical, educational, cultural and leisure activities. While it functions as a place of worship it has also held many very popular events including concerts by the Futureheads, the Unthanks and the Lilliputs. Weekend long festivals of music and art have also taken place and it has been home to a number of exhibitions including contemporary art and photography. The Minster is also a significant part of Sunderland’s heritage, some suggesting it dates as far back as 940AD. The Minster however was rebuilt in the 20th century and following the grant of city status to Sunderland in 1992 the church was re-designated as ‘Sunderland Minster’ in 1998. The Minster provides a meeting place for people from all over the city, it has a rather excellent café, as well as a centre of worship on a daily basis.

Access Guide

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Introduction

  • Services / facilities within the building include The venue offers live streamed and pre-recorded services. The pre-recorded services have subtitles.
  • Comments View
    • Sunderland Minster is a historic place of Christian worship within the Church of England and a place of meeting, learning, belonging and celebrating for the people of Sunderland.
    • They offer a Refugee Drop In, Messy Church for children and a part of the Inclusive Church Network.

COVID-19 Information

  • The information in this section was taken in March 2021.
  • There is not a member of staff available at the entrance.
  • There is hand sanitiser available at the entrance.
  • The hand sanitisers are wall mounted.
  • There is a limited number of people allowed inside.
  • There is not a one-way system throughout.
  • There is clear signage inside to help with social distancing.
  • Toilets are available.
  • For more information about the measures in place for Covid-19 please click here (new tab) .

Opening Times

  • Monday 09:00 - 15:00.
  • Tuesday 09:00 - 15:00.
  • Wednesday 09:00 - 15:00.
  • Thursday 09:00 - 15:00.
  • Friday 09:00 - 15:00.
  • Saturday Closed.
  • Sunday Closed.
  • Comments View
    • The venue is also open on Sundays for services.
    • Please contact the venue for further information.

Location

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

Parking

  • The venue does not have its own car park.

Outside Access (South Entrance)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located at the side of the venue.
    • There is ramped/sloped and stepped 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) is/are double width but one door is locked.
    • The door(s) is/are permanently held open.
    • The width of the door opening is 68cm.
    • There is a second set of doors.
    • The door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
    • The door(s) is/are single width.
    • The door(s) is/are permanently held open.
    • The width of the door opening is 81cm.
  • Ramp/Slope View
    • The ramp/slope is located to the left and right of the entrance.
    • The gradient of the ramp/slope is slight.
    • The ramp/slope is permanent.
    • There is a level landing at the top of the ramp/slope.
    • The ramp/slope does not bypass the step(s).
  • Step(s) View
    • The step(s) is/are located beyond the first entrance door.
    • There is/are 1 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 11cm.
    • There is not a/are not handrail(s) at the step(s).
  • Comments View
    • The second entrance has a single door to the left and the right, as seen in photographs 3 and 4.
    • There is a third door, as seen in photograph 5.
    • This door opens towards you automatically.
    • The door is single.
    • The door is 81cm wide.

Outside Access (North Entrance)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located at the north side of the building.
    • There is ramped/sloped and stepped 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) is/are double width but one door is locked.
    • The door(s) is/are permanently held open.
    • The width of the door opening is 67cm.
    • There is a second set of doors.
    • The door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
    • The door(s) is/are single width.
    • The door(s) is/are permanently held open.
    • The width of the door opening is 84cm.
  • Ramp/Slope View
    • The ramp/slope is located to the left of the entrance.
    • 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.
    • The ramp/slope does not bypass the step(s).
  • Step(s) View
    • The step(s) is/are located to the left of the entrance.
    • There is/are 5 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 12cm.
    • There is not a/are not handrail(s) at the step(s).
  • Comments View
    • This entrance is only used when weather permits.
    • The second entrance door has a similar door to the right that is kept closed, as seen in photograph 3.
    • There is a shallow step that is not clearly marked beyond the first set of entrance doors, as seen in photograph 7.
    • This step does not have handrails.
    • The path to the right of the entrance is uneven, as seen in photograph 8.

Office

  • The office is 32m from the south entrance.
  • There are 12 deep unmarked steps leading to the office.
  • These steps have a handrail to the left.
  • Anyone who cannot climb the stairs should ring the bell at the bottom of the steps.
  • The height to the bell is 95cm.

Inside Access

  • There is not level access to the service(s).
  • There is a hearing assistance system.
  • The hearing assistance system is available only on request.
  • The system is a fixed loop.
  • Staff are trained to use the system.
  • This venue does not play background music.
  • Motorised scooters are allowed in public parts of the venue.
  • The lighting levels are varied.
  • Comments View
    • There are several single shallow steps without handrails leading to areas in the venue including the altar.
    • These steps are not clearly marked.

Galleries

  • In the north and south galleries there are 8 medium unmarked steps leading to fixed bench seating.
  • These steps do not have handrails.

Level Change (South Gallery)

  • There is a/are step(s) to access this area/service.
  • The step(s) is/are located to the left of the south entrance.
  • There is/are 15 step(s) to the area/service.
  • The lighting levels at the step(s) are medium.
  • The step(s) is/are not 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 left going up.
  • Comments View
    • The handrails on the steps change to the opposite side with each landing.
    • There are similar steps leading to the North Gallery at the north entrance.

Entrance (Meeting Room)

  • This information is for the entrance located beyond the second entrance doors at the south entrance.
  • Entrance View
    • 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 89cm from floor level.
    • The door(s) is/are single width.
    • The width of the door opening is 89cm.
  • Comments View
    • There are similar doors at the opposite end of the meeting room that lead into the Minster.

Other Floors

  • Steps View
    • The floors which are accessible by stairs are G, 1.
    • There are 12 steps between floors.
    • The steps are 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 a landing.
    • The lighting levels are medium.
  • Other View
    • The area(s)/service(s) on the floors which are not accessible is/are the choir room.

Accessible Toilet (Female - Left Transfer)

  • Accessible toilet facilities are available.
  • Location and Access View
    • There is pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
    • This accessible toilet is approximately 32m (34yd 2ft) from the south entrance.
    • The accessible toilet is located at the rear of the venue.
    • There is level access to this accessible toilet.
  • Features and Dimensions View
    • This is not a shared toilet.
    • There is a male accessible toilet adjacent.
    • A key is not required for the accessible toilet.
    • The door opens outwards.
    • The door is locked by a sliding bolt.
    • The width of the accessible toilet door is 77cm (2ft 6in).
    • The door is easy to open.
    • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 180cm x 170cm (5ft 11in x 5ft 7in).
    • 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 left.
    • The lateral transfer space is 90cm (2ft 11in).
    • There is no dropdown rail for the toilet.
    • There is a flush, however it is not on the transfer side.
    • The tap type is lever.
    • There is not a mixer tap.
    • There is not an emergency alarm.
    • Disposal facilities are available in the cubicle.
    • There is a/are sanitary, non-infectious waste and general domestic waste disposal units.
    • There is not a/are not coat hook(s).
  • Position of Fixtures View
    • Wall mounted grab rails are not available for the toilet.
    • There is a shelf within the accessible toilet.
    • There is not a mirror.
    • The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 44cm (1ft 5in).
    • There is not a hand dryer.
    • There is a towel dispenser.
    • The towel dispenser can be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The towel dispenser is placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • The height of the towel dispenser is 127cm (4ft 2in).
    • 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 81cm (2ft 8in).
  • Colour Contrast and Lighting View
    • The contrast between the external door and wall is poor.
    • The contrast between the internal door and wall is poor.
    • The contrast between the walls and floor is good.
    • The lighting levels are moderate to good.
  • 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 94cm (3ft 1in).
  • Comments View
    • There is a frame around the toilet with handrails on either side.

Accessible Toilet (Male - Right Transfer)

  • Accessible toilet facilities are available.
  • Location and Access View
    • There is pictorial and written text signage on or near the toilet door.
    • This accessible toilet is approximately 28m (30yd 1ft) from the south entrance.
    • The accessible toilet is located at the rear of the venue.
    • There is level access to this accessible toilet.
  • Features and Dimensions View
    • This is not a shared toilet.
    • There is a female accessible toilet adjacent.
    • A key is not required for the accessible toilet.
    • The door opens inwards.
    • The door is locked by a sliding bolt.
    • The width of the accessible toilet door is 78cm (2ft 7in).
    • The door is easy to open.
    • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 140cm x 160cm (4ft 7in x 5ft 3in).
    • 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 106cm (3ft 6in).
    • 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 not an emergency alarm.
    • Disposal facilities are available in the cubicle.
    • There is a/are open waste paper bin 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 both sides.
    • There is not a shelf within the accessible toilet.
    • There is not a mirror.
    • The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 46cm (1ft 6in).
    • There is not a hand dryer.
    • There is a towel dispenser.
    • The towel dispenser cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The towel dispenser is placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • The height of the towel dispenser is 125cm (4ft 1in).
    • 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 not placed higher than 74cm (2ft 5in).
  • Colour Contrast and Lighting View
    • The contrast between the external door and wall is poor.
    • The contrast between the internal door and wall is poor.
    • The contrast between the wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is fair.
    • The contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall is good.
    • The contrast between the walls and floor is good.
    • The lighting levels are moderate to good.
  • Comments View
    • The facility also contains a urinal.

Standard Toilet(s)

  • Availability and Location of Standard Toilets View
    • Standard toilet facilities are available.
  • Access to Standard Female Toilet(s) View
    • The female toilet facilities that were surveyed are located at the rear of the venue.
    • The female toilet(s) is/are approximately 32m (34yd 2ft) from the south entrance.
    • Inside the venue, there is level access to the female toilet(s).
    • Lighting levels are medium.
  • Access to Standard Male Toilet(s) View
    • The male toilet facilities that were surveyed are located at the rear of the venue.
    • The male toilet(s) is/are approximately 28m (30yd 1ft) from the south entrance.
    • Inside the venue, there is level access to the male toilet(s).
    • Lighting levels are medium.

Additional Info

  • Documents are available in Braille.
  • Documents are available in large print.
  • A bowl of water can be provided for an assistance dog.
  • An assistance dog toilet area can be provided onsite.
  • The assistance dog toilet area is located in the grassy areas around the venue.
  • Home visits / services are available.