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The Alchemist Oxford

Unit RU7 Westgate Oxford Shopping Centre, Bonn Square, Oxford, OX1 1TR

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Access Guide

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Getting Help and Assistance

  • There is a member of staff available for help and assistance.
  • There is not a member of staff trained in British Sign Language.
  • There is not an assistance dog toilet or toileting area at the venue/nearby.
  • Water bowls for assistance dogs are available.

Opening Hours

Public Transport

Public Parking

Approach

  • Approach View
    • The surface of the approach is stone/concrete tiles and block paving.
    • The venue is located on the Roof Terrace of the Westgate Oxford Shopping Centre.
      Access into the shopping centre is either step-free, ramped/sloped or by using a lift.
      There are lifts in the South Arcade, which go to upper and lower ground levels of the shopping centre (photographs 3 and 4).
      There are escalators from the Upper Level of Leiden Square (photograph 4), and from the Upper Level of Middle Square to the Roof Terrace (photograph 5).

Outside Access (Main Entrance)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located at the front right of the venue.
    • The entrance area/door is clearly signed.
    • This entrance is signed with 'The Alchemist'.
    • There is step-free access at this entrance.
    • There is a canopy or recess which provides weather protection 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 single width with a locked extension leaf.
    • The door(s) may be difficult to open.
    • The width of the door opening is 84cm.
    • 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) may be difficult to open.
    • The width of the door opening is 90cm.

Eating and Drinking (Bar)

  • Location and Access View
    • The following information is for the bar.
    • The bar is located just beyond the main entrance.
    • There is step-free access to the bar.
  • Service and Menus View
    • Tables cannot be booked in advance.
    • There is a bar where food and drink can be ordered.
    • Staff can bring food and/or drinks to tables.
    • Menu types include: Braille menus, large print menus, online menus and 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.
    • Plastic/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.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system .
    • The hearing assistance system is not signed.
  • Service Counter(s) View
    • The height of the counter is 110cm.
    • There is a moveable card machine available for payment.
    • The type of flooring in this area is wood.
  • Tables and Seating View
    • There is ample room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
    • The majority of tables are accessible to wheelchair users.
    • The distance between the floor and the underside of the highest dining table is 108cm.
    • The standard height for the underside of dining tables is 108cm.
    • The surface height of the lowest table is 40cm.
    • The surface height of the highest table is 112cm.
    • Some tables are permanently fixed.
    • Some chairs are permanently fixed.
    • No chairs have armrests on both sides.
    • There are also coffee tables, high tables, armchairs, sofas, bench seats and high stools.
    • The type of flooring in this area is wood.
    • There is some flooring which is shiny and could cause issues with glare or look slippery to some people.
    • The lighting levels are varied.
    • Lighting levels may be lower in the evening.

Eating and Drinking (Restaurant)

  • Location and Access View
    • The following information is for the restaurant.
    • The restaurant is located to the rear of the venue.
    • There is step-free access to the restaurant.
  • Service and Menus View
    • Tables can be booked in advance.
    • There is full table service.
    • Menu types include: online menus, Braille menus, large print menus and 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.
    • Plastic/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.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system .
    • There is a portable card machine available for payment.
  • Tables and Seating View
    • There is not ample room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
    • There are some tables which are accessible to wheelchair users.
    • The height between the floor and the underside of the lowest dining table is 87cm.
    • 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 75cm.
    • The surface height of the lowest table is 76cm.
    • The surface height of the highest table is 92cm.
    • Some tables are permanently fixed.
    • Some chairs are permanently fixed.
    • No chairs have armrests on both sides.
    • There are also high tables, long tables, booths and bench seats.
    • The type of flooring in this area is wood.
    • There is some flooring which is shiny and could cause issues with glare or look slippery to some people.
    • The lighting levels are varied.
    • Lighting levels may be lower in the evening.
    • Some areas of the seating can narrow to 88cm wide.

Entrance (Outdoor Seating)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located at the left side of the venue.
    • 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) away from you (push).
    • The door(s) is/are double width but one door is locked.
    • The door(s) may be difficult to open.
    • The width of the door opening is 63cm.
    • There is a small lip on the threshold of the entrance, with a height of 2cm or below.

Outdoor Seating

  • The outdoor seating is located to the left side and rear of the venue.
  • There is step-free access to the outdoor seating.
  • The distance between the floor and the underside of the lowest dining table is 70cm.
  • The standard height for the underside of dining tables is 70cm.
  • There are also bench seats.
  • The surface height of the lowest table is 73cm.
  • Some chairs are permanently fixed.
  • No tables are permanently fixed.
  • No chairs have armrests on both sides.
  • The type of flooring in this area is concrete tiles.

Step(s) (Standard Toilets)

  • There is a/are step(s) located beyond the entrance to the right, before the bar.
  • The step(s) is/are used to access the standard toilets.
  • There is/are 3 step(s).
  • The step(s) is/are clearly marked.
  • The height of the step(s) is/are between 15cm and 18cm.
  • The height of the step(s) is/are 16cm.
  • 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 low to moderate.

Standard Toilet(s)

  • Standard toilet facilities are available.
  • Toilet Facilities View
    • The female and male toilets are located beyond the entrance, to the right.
    • There is stepped access into the toilet(s).
    • The standard toilet(s) is/are approximately 18m from the main entrance.
    • The colour contrast between the external toilet door(s) and wall(s) is good.
    • 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 80cm.
    • The wash basin(s) tap type is twist/turn.
    • Lighting levels are low to moderate.

Accessible Toilet(s)

  • There is an/are accessible toilet(s) available.
  • Location and Access View
    • This accessible toilet is located to the left of the bar, before the restaurant.
    • This accessible toilet is approximately 25m (27yd 1ft) from the main entrance.
    • 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 fair.
    • The door opens outwards.
    • The door is easy to open.
    • The door is locked by a lever twist.
    • The width of the accessible toilet opening is 86cm (2ft 10in).
    • The contrast between the internal door and wall is poor.
    • The door does not have a horizontal grab rail.
  • Toilet Features View
    • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 146cm x 230cm (4ft 9in x 7ft 7in).
    • The accessible toilet does not have an unobstructed minimum turning space of 150cm x 150cm.
    • The lighting levels are low to moderate.
    • 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).
    • The transfer space is obstructed by a sanitary bin and a waste disposal bin.
    • There is a flush on the transfer side.
    • 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 fair.
    • 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 fair.
    • The contrast between the walls and floor is poor.
    • There is an emergency alarm.
    • The emergency pull cord alarm was out of reach (higher than 10cm (4") from floor) when surveyed.
    • 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 137cm 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.
    • The toilet has a cistern.
    • The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 46cm (1ft 6in).
    • The toilet seat colour contrast is poor.
    • 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 contrast between the toilet roll holder and the wall is fair.
    • 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).
    • 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 fair.
    • The wash basin tap type is lever mixer.
    • There is not a wall fixed soap dispenser.
    • There is a handheld soap dispenser available.
    • The soap dispenser cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The height of the soap dispenser is 92cm.
    • There is not a towel dispenser.
    • There is a hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer is not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • The contrast between the hand dryer and the wall is fair.
  • 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 81cm.