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The Alchemist Edinburgh

401 - 403 St James Quarter, Edinburgh, EH1 3AE

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Access Guide

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Getting Help and Assistance

  • There is a team member available for help and assistance.
  • There is not a team member trained in British Sign Language.
  • British Sign Language interpreters cannot be provided on request.
  • There is not an assistance dog toilet or toileting area at the venue/nearby.
  • Water bowls for assistance dogs are available.
  • There are not mobility aids available.
  • There is not a designated place of safety which can be used by people who may feel scared or at risk.

Opening Hours

Public Transport

Public Parking

Outside Access (Main Entrance)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located on level 2 of the St James Quarter shopping centre, to the left of the Leith Street entrance.
    • The entrance area/door is clearly signed.
    • This entrance is signed with 'THE ALCHEMIST BAR RESTAURANT'.
    • There is step-free access at this entrance.
    • There is not a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at this entrance.
    • There is a dark mat or floor marking at this entrance that might be perceived as a hole.
    • The entrance door(s) does/do contrast visually with its immediate surroundings.
    • The main door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
    • The door(s) is/are double width but one door is locked.
    • The door(s) is/are permanently held open.
    • The width of the opening is 91cm.
    • There is a small lip on the threshold of the entrance, with a height of 2cm or below.
    • There is not a team member available for assistance at this entrance.
    • This entrance gives access to the lifts up to the main bar and restaurant area on level 4.
    • There is a slope with a very easy incline.

Lift

  • There is a lift for public use.
  • The lift is located directly ahead as you enter via the main entrance.
  • The lift is clearly visible from the entrance.
  • The lift is approximately 8m (8yd 2ft) from the main entrance.
  • The lift is a standard lift.
  • A team member does not need to be notified for use of the lift.
  • The floors which are accessible by this lift are level 2, level 4.
  • Clear signs indicating the facilities on each floor are not 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 colour contrast between the external lift control plate and the wall is Medium.
  • The clear door width is 110cm (3ft 7in).
  • The dimensions of the lift are 210cm x 160cm (6ft 11in x 5ft 3in).
  • There are not 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 internal controls for the lift are within 90cm - 120cm from the floor.
  • There is 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
    • Please be advised that at entrance level 2, the four buttons marked "THEATRE SERVED - PRESS ME" do not operate the lift(s). The buttons activate an audio / video presentation on the ceiling (photographs 5 and 6). The audio is loud which some people may find disturbing.

Outside Access (Level 4 Entrance)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located on level 4 of the St James Quarter shopping centre.
    • The entrance area/door is clearly signed.
    • This entrance is signed with 'THE ALCHEMIST BAR RESTAURANT'.
    • There is step-free access at this entrance.
    • There is a dark mat or floor marking at this entrance that might be perceived as a hole.
    • The entrance door(s) does/do contrast visually with its immediate surroundings.
    • The main door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
    • The door(s) is/are double width.
    • The door(s) may be difficult to open.
    • The width of the opening is 146cm.
    • There is a small lip on the threshold of the entrance, with a height of 2cm or below.
    • There is not a team member available for assistance at this entrance.

Eating and Drinking

  • Service and Menus View
    • Tables can be booked in advance.
    • There is full table service and a bar where food and drink can be ordered.
    • Team members can bring food and/or drinks to tables.
    • Menu types include: handheld menus.
    • Menus are clearly written.
    • Menus are presented in contrasting colours.
    • Staff can read menus to customers if requested.
    • The type of food served here is Modern British.
    • Takeaway cups are available.
    • Adapted cups are not available.
    • Adapted cutlery is not available.
    • Drinking straws are available.
    • This area does play background music.
    • Background music is played at all times, the volume can be adjusted if requested.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system .
    • There is a portable card machine available for payment.
  • Service Counter(s) View
    • The height of the counter is 110cm.
    • The height of the lowered section at the counter is 75cm.
    • There is a clear knee recess beneath the low/lowered section of the counter.
    • There is a moveable card machine available for payment.
    • The type of flooring in this area is tiles.
    • The lighting levels are good.
    • Lighting levels can be adjusted by a member of staff upon request.
  • Tables and Seating View
    • There is ample room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
    • The majority of tables are accessible to wheelchair users.
    • The height between the floor and the underside of the lowest dining table is 72cm.
    • The distance between the floor and the underside of the highest dining table is 89cm.
    • The standard height for the underside of dining tables is 73cm.
    • The surface height of the highest table is 113cm.
    • Some tables are permanently fixed.
    • Some chairs are permanently fixed.
    • Some chairs have armrests on both sides.
    • In this area there are high tables, long tables, bench seats and high stools.
    • The type of flooring in this area is tiles and wood.
    • There is some flooring which is shiny and could cause issues with glare or look slippery to some people.
    • The lighting levels are adjustable.
    • Lighting levels can be adjusted by a member of staff upon request.
    • Lighting levels may be lower in the evening.

Entrance (Balcony)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located on the right as you exit the lifts.
    • The entrance area/door is not clearly signed.
    • There is step-free access at this entrance.
    • The entrance door(s) does not/do not contrast visually with its immediate surroundings.
    • The main door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
    • The door(s) is/are double width.
    • The door(s) may be difficult to open.
    • The width of the opening is 182cm.
    • There is a small lip on the threshold of the entrance, with a height of 2cm or below.
    • There is not a team member available for assistance at this entrance.
    • There is a second similar door to the balcony to the left of this door.

Outdoor Seating (Balcony)

  • The outdoor seating is located on the balcony on the right as you exit the lifts.
  • There is step-free access to the outdoor seating.
  • The distance between the floor and the underside of the lowest dining table is 71cm.
  • The distance between the floor and the underside of the highest dining table is 75cm.
  • The standard height for the underside of dining tables is 71cm.
  • There are also high tables, bench seats and high stools.
  • The surface height of the highest table is 94cm.
  • Some chairs are permanently fixed.
  • No tables are permanently fixed.
  • Some chairs have armrests on both sides.
  • The type of flooring in this area is concrete tiles.

Accessible Toilet(s) (Left Hand Transfer)

  • There is an/are accessible toilet(s) available.
  • Location and Access View
    • This accessible toilet is located on the left as you exit the lift.
    • This accessible toilet is approximately 6m (6yd 1ft) from the lift.
    • There is step-free access into the accessible toilet.
    • This is a shared toilet.
    • A key is not required for the accessible toilet.
    • There is pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
    • The contrast between the external door and wall is high.
    • The door opens outwards.
    • The door is easy to open.
    • The door is locked by a locking handle.
    • The width of the accessible toilet opening is 87cm (2ft 10in).
    • The contrast between the internal door and wall is high.
    • The door has a horizontal grab rail.
    • The contrast between the horizontal grab rail and internal door is high.
  • Toilet Features View
    • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 164cm x 244cm (5ft 5in x 8ft).
    • The accessible toilet does have an unobstructed minimum turning space of 150cm x 150cm.
    • The lighting levels are moderate to good.
    • There is a lateral transfer space.
    • As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on the left.
    • The lateral transfer space is 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • The transfer space is obstructed by a sanitary bin.
    • There is not a spatula type lever flush.
    • There is a push button flush.
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • The contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall is high.
    • There is a/are wall-mounted grab rail(s) available.
    • As you face the toilet the wall-mounted grab rail(s) is/are on both sides.
    • There is a vertical wall-mounted grab rail on the transfer side.
    • There is a horizontal wall-mounted grab rail on the opposite side of the seat to the transfer space.
    • The contrast between the wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is high.
    • The contrast between the walls and floor is high.
    • There is an emergency alarm.
    • There is not a red flashing fire alarm beacon within the toilet.
    • Disposal facilities are available in the toilet.
    • There is a/are sanitary and nappy/incontinence items bin disposal units.
    • There is a/are coat hook(s).
    • The height of the coat hook is 121cm from the floor.
  • Additional Fixtures View
    • There is a mirror.
    • The mirror is not placed at a lower level or at an angle for ease of use.
    • There is not a shelf within the accessible toilet.
    • The toilet has a cistern.
    • The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 50cm (1ft 8in).
    • The toilet seat colour contrast is low.
    • 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).
    • The height of the toilet roll holder is 80cm (2ft 7in).
    • The contrast between the toilet roll holder and the wall is high.
    • There is a wash basin.
    • The wash basin and tap(s) can be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is not placed higher than 74cm (2ft 5in).
    • The height of the wash basin is 70cm (2ft 4in).
    • There are vertical wall-mounted grab rails on both sides of the wash basin.
    • The contrast between the wash basin wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is high.
    • The wash basin tap type is lever mixer.
    • There is not a wall fixed soap dispenser.
    • There is a handheld soap dispenser available.
    • There is not a towel dispenser.
    • There is a hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer is not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • The height of the hand dryer is 94cm (3ft 1in).
    • The contrast between the hand dryer and the wall is high.
  • Baby Changing Facilities View
    • Baby changing facilities are located within the accessible toilet.
    • There is a flip down baby change table available.
    • The height of the baby change table is 86cm.

Step(s) (Standard Toilets)

  • There is a/are step(s) located to the right of the bar.
  • The step(s) is/are used to access the standard female and male toilets.
  • There is/are 3 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 12cm.
  • The depth of the step(s) is/are not between 30cm and 45cm.
  • There is a/are handrail(s) at the step(s).
  • The handrail(s) is/are on both sides of the step(s).
  • 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.
  • The lighting levels at the step(s) are moderate to good.

Standard Toilet(s)

  • Standard toilet facilities are available.
  • Toilet Facilities View
    • The female and male toilets are located to the right of the bar.
    • There is stepped access into the toilet(s).
    • The standard toilet(s) is/are approximately 30m from the lifts.
    • The colour contrast between the external toilet door(s) and wall(s) is high.
    • There is written text signage on or near the toilet door.
    • An ambulant toilet cubicle is not available.
    • The height of the wash basin(s) is 85cm.
    • The wash basin(s) tap type is lever mixer.
    • Lighting levels are moderate to good.