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The Beacon

Tea Garden Lane, Rusthall, Kent, TN3 9JH

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Access Guide

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Location

  • There is not a bus stop within 150m (164yds) of the venue.
  • The nearest National Rail station is Tunbridge Wells.

Opening Hours

Parking

  • The venue does have its own car park.
  • Venue Car Park View
    • Parking is free for all users.
    • The car park is located at the front and rear of the building.
    • The car park type is open air/surface.
    • There is/are 0 Blue Badge parking bay(s) within the car park.
    • The route from the car park to the entrance is accessible to a wheelchair user with assistance.
    • Assistance may be required because there is / are uneven surfaces.
    • The car park surface is tarmac.
    • There is a dropped kerb between the car park and the venue.
    • There is not a road to cross between the car park and the entrance.
    • The car park does not have a height restriction barrier.
  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop off point.
  • Comments View
    • A bay at the front of the building can be reserved if you ring up and book in advance.

Outside Access (Garden Bar Entrance)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located at the rear of the venue, through the main car park.
    • 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) away from you (push).
    • The door(s) is/are single width.
    • The width of the door opening is 97cm.
    • 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 up from the main car park to the entrance.
    • The gradient of the ramp/slope is steep.
    • The ramp/slope is permanent.
    • There is not a/are not handrail(s) at the ramp.
    • The ramp/slope does not bypass the step(s).

Reception (Garden Bar Entrance)

  • The desk/counter is 1m (3ft 3in) from the Garden Bar entrance.
  • There is level access to the desk/counter from the entrance.
  • The desk/counter is medium height (77cm - 109cm).
  • The desk/counter does not have a low (76cm or lower) section.
  • The lighting levels are moderate to good.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.

Outside Access (Rear Entrance)

  • This information is for the entrance located to the rear of the building.
  • There is not level access into the venue.
  • The main door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
  • The door(s) is / are single.
  • The door(s) is / are heavy.
  • The width of the door opening is 75cm (2ft 6in).

Level Change (Rear Entrance)

  • There is a/are step(s) to access this area/service.
  • The step(s) is/are located leading from the car park to the entrance.
  • There is/are 15+ step(s) to the area/service.
  • 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).

Outside Access (Function Room Entrance)

  • This information is for the entrance located to the side of the building, on the lower floor.
  • There is not level access into the venue.
  • The main door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
  • The door(s) is / are single.
  • The door(s) is / are heavy.
  • The width of the door opening is 98cm (3ft 3in).
  • Comments View
    • There is a second entrance to the right of this one, which has a step in the doorway.

Level Change (Function Room Entrance)

  • There is a ramp/slope to access this area/service.
  • The ramp/slope is located between the rear car park and the entrance and in front of the entrance.
  • The ramp/slope is permanent.
  • There is not a level landing at the top of the ramp/slope.
  • The ramp does not have handrails.
  • The width of the ramp/slope is 110cm (3ft 7in).

Inside Access

  • There is not level access to the service(s).
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • This venue does not play background music.
  • The lighting levels are bright.

Other Floors

  • Steps View
    • The floors which are accessible by stairs are B, G, 1.
    • There are 15+ steps between floors.
    • The steps are not clearly marked.
    • The steps are medium (11cm - 17cm).
    • The steps do have handrails.
    • The steps have a handrail on the left going up.
    • There is a landing.
    • The lighting levels are bright.
  • Other View
    • The area(s)/service(s) on the floors which are not accessible is/are the restaurant and the function room.

Eating and Drinking

  • The following information is for the restaurant.
  • Full table service is available.
  • Food or drinks are ordered from the service counter.
  • Food or drinks can be brought to the table.
  • There is not a lowered section at the counter.
  • No tables are permanently fixed.
  • Some chairs are permanently fixed.
  • Some chairs have armrests.
  • The nearest table is approximately 2m (2yd 7in) from the rear entrance.
  • The standard height for tables is 75cm.
  • Plastic / takeaway cups are not available.
  • Plastic / takeaway cutlery is not available.
  • Drinking straws are available.
  • Children are welcomed in the bar area.
  • Menus are hand held only.
  • Menus are not available in Braille.
  • Menus are not available in large print.
  • Picture menus are not available.
  • Menus are clearly written.
  • Menus are presented in contrasting colours.
  • The type of food served here is Fine Dining.

Level Change (Garden Bar)

  • There is a ramp/slope to access this area/service.
  • The ramp/slope is located leading from reception to the Garden Bar.
  • The ramp/slope gradient is slight.
  • The ramp/slope is permanent.
  • The ramp does not have handrails.
  • The width of the ramp/slope is 100cm (3ft 3in).

Eating and Drinking (Garden Bar)

  • The following information is for the café/bar.
  • The café/bar is located immediately to the right after reception.
  • The bar does serve food.
  • Full table service is available.
  • No tables are permanently fixed.
  • No chairs are permanently fixed.
  • Some chairs have armrests.
  • The nearest table is approximately 2m (2yd 7in) from the Garden Bar entrance.
  • The standard height for tables is 48cm.
  • There is ample room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
  • Plastic / takeaway cups are not available.
  • Plastic / takeaway cutlery is not available.
  • Drinking straws are available.
  • Children are welcomed in the bar area.
  • Menus are hand held and wall.
  • Menus are not available in Braille.
  • Menus are not available in large print.
  • Picture menus are not available.
  • Menus are clearly written.
  • Menus are presented in contrasting colours.
  • The type of food served here is hot and cold meals and snacks.
  • Comments View
    • If required, full restaurant meals can be made available from Thursday to Sunday on request.

Accessible Toilet (Bar)

  • Accessible toilet facilities are available.
  • Location and Access View
    • There is no signage on or near the toilet door.
    • This accessible toilet is approximately 15m (16yd 1ft) from the accessible bar entrance.
    • This accessible toilet is located to the rear of the function room within the basement, just inside the entrance.
    • There is level access to this accessible toilet.
  • Features and Dimensions View
    • This is a shared toilet.
    • 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 94cm (3ft 1in).
    • The door may be difficult to open.
    • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 143cm x 195cm (4ft 8in x 6ft 5in).
    • 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 80cm (2ft 7in).
    • 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 a/are 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 a mirror.
    • Mirrors are placed at a lower level or at an angle for ease of use.
    • The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 46cm (1ft 6in).
    • There is a hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The hand dryer is placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • The height of the hand dryer is 126cm (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 cannot 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 good.
    • There is a high colour contrast between the internal door and wall.
    • The contrast between the wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is fair.
    • There is a fair colour contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall.
    • 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 90cm (2ft 11in).
  • Comments View
    • This toilet is a work in progress, possible placement of grab rails at a later date.

Standard Toilet(s) (Bar and Restaurant)

  • Access to Standard Female Toilet(s) View
    • The female toilet facilities that were surveyed are located to the rear of the restaurant, at the left hand side of the bar.
    • The female toilet(s) is/are approximately 16m (17yd 1ft) from the main entrance.
    • Inside the venue, there is level access to the female toilet(s).
    • Lighting levels are bright.
  • Access to Standard Male Toilet(s) View
    • The male toilet facilities that were surveyed are located to the rear of the bar, to the right.
    • The male toilet(s) is/are approximately 18m (19yd 2ft) from the main entrance.
    • Inside the venue, there is level access to the male toilet(s).
    • Lighting levels are medium.

Standard Toilet(s) (Function Room)

Additional Info

  • Staff do not receive disability awareness / equality training.
  • A bowl of water can be provided for an assistance dog.
  • A member of staff trained in BSL skills is not normally on duty.