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Lakeside Theatre

University of Essex, Wivenhoe Park, Colchester, Essex, CO4 3SQ

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Access Guide

Show Easy Read

Introduction

  • The opening times vary depending on shows and events taking place.
  • Please contact the theatre for more information.

Opening Times

Location

  • The venue is situated within the centre of the campus.
  • This venue is situated in Colchester.
  • The nearest mainline station is Hythe.
  • There is a bus stop within 150m (164yds) of the venue.
  • Comments View
    • Altough not as close as Hythe, most visitors choose to arrive at Colchester North Station where bus and taxi connections are more readily available.

Parking

Outside Access (Main Entrance)

  • This information is for the entrance located at the front of the building.
  • There is level access into the venue.
  • The main door(s) open(s) automatically (towards you).
  • Second set of doors View
    • The automatic doors are push pad activated.
    • The door(s) is / are double.
    • The width of the door opening is 160cm (5ft 3in).
    • There is a small lip on the threshold of the entrance, with a height of 2cm or below.

Inside Access

  • There is level access to the service(s).
  • This venue does play background music.
  • The lighting levels are bright.
  • Motorised scooters are welcomed in public parts of the venue.
  • Comments View
    • Photograph 2 shows the studio space.
    • There is level access via lift to this faciltiy.

Reception (Box Office)

  • Box Office is located to the right as you exit the lift on the ground floor.
  • The desk is 10m (10yd 2ft) from the lift.
  • Clear signage for the reception area is not visible from the lift.
  • There is step free access to this reception area, via lift.
  • The lighting levels in the reception area are medium.
  • The reception desk/counter is high (110cm+).
  • There is a low section of the counter (76cm or below) available.
  • There is a clear knee recess beneath the low counter.
  • The desk is not staffed.
  • There is not a bell to attract attention.
  • The type of system is infrared.
  • The hearing system is available only on request.
  • The hearing assistance system is not signed.
  • Staff are trained to use the system.
  • The touch screen is at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.

Restaurant Bar Internal

  • The following information is for the cafe.
  • Once inside, there is level access to the service.
  • Full table service is not available.
  • Food or drinks are ordered from the counter.
  • Food or drinks cannot be brought to the table.
  • There is not a lowered section at the service counter.
  • No tables are permanently fixed.
  • No chairs are permanently fixed.
  • Some chairs have armrests.
  • The nearest table is 1m (3ft 3in) from the main entrance.
  • The distance between the floor and the lowest table is 71cm (2ft 4in).
  • The distance between the floor and the highest table is 71cm (2ft 4in).
  • Menus are wall only.
  • Menus are not available in Braille.
  • Menus are not available in large print.
  • Menus are clearly written.
  • Menus are presented in contrasting colours.
  • The type of food served here is snacks.

Other Floors

  • Steps View
    • The floors which are accessible by stairs are LG, G and 1.
    • There are 15+ steps between floors.
    • The lighting levels are bright.
    • The steps are clearly marked.
    • The steps are medium (11cm - 17cm).
    • The steps do have handrails.
    • The steps have a handrail on both sides.
    • There is a landing.

Lift

  • There is a lift for public use.
  • The lift is a platform lift.
  • The floors which are accessible by this lift are LG, G and 1.
  • The lift is approximately 9m (9yd 2ft) from the main entrance.
  • Staff do not need to be notified for use of the lift.
  • The clear door width is 96cm (3ft 2in).
  • The dimensions of the lift are 98cm x 140cm (3ft 3in x 4ft 7in).
  • There are not separate entry and exit doors in the lift.
  • There is not a mirror to aid reversing out of the lift.
  • The lift does have a visual floor indicator.
  • The lift does not have Braille markings.
  • The lift does have tactile markings.
  • The controls for the lift are within 90cm - 120cm from the floor.
  • The lighting level in the lift is bright.
  • Comments View
    • Photograph 3 shows the lift on the ground floor.
    • Photograph 4 shows the lift in the studio space.

Theatre

  • There are designated spaces for wheelchair users.
  • Designated seating is located next to the theatre entrance (as shown in photograph 1).
  • Wheelchairs are left with the patron.
  • A companion may sit with you.
  • Companions sit next to you.
  • It is 9m (29ft 6in) from the designated seating area to the nearest adapted toilet.
  • This venue does not provide audio described performances.
  • There is a hearing assistance system.
  • The hearing system is infrared.
  • Staff are trained to use the hearing system.
  • A deposit is not required for the hearing system.
  • There is not a wheelchair to borrow.
  • Concessions are available.
  • Assistance dogs are allowed in the auditorium.
  • Carers get free admisson.
  • The designated seating area is 12m from the lift.

Toilet with Adaptations (Theatre - Left Hand 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 20m (21yd 2ft) from the lift.
    • This accessible toilet is located to the left of the theatre.
    • There is level access to this accessible toilet.
    • This is by lift.
  • 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 twist lock.
    • The width of the accessible toilet door is 88cm (2ft 11in).
    • The door is easy to open.
    • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 180cm x 220cm (5ft 11in x 7ft 3in).
    • There is a clear 150cm x 150cm manoeuvring space in the accessible toilet.
    • 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).
    • 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 an emergency pull cord alarm in the cubicle.
    • The emergency pull cord alarm is fully functional.
    • Disposal facilities are available in the cubicle.
    • There is a/are female sanitary 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 47cm (1ft 7in).
    • There is a hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The hand dryer is not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • There is not a towel dispenser.
    • 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
    • There is a high colour contrast between the internal door and wall.
    • The contrast between the external door and wall is good.
    • The contrast between the wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is good.
    • There is a good colour contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall.
    • The toilet seat colour contrast is poor.
    • The contrast between the walls and floor is good.
    • The lighting levels are good.

Standard Toilet(s)

Level Change (Standard Toilets)

  • There is a/are step(s) to access this area/service.
  • The step(s) is/are located leading up to the toilets.
  • There is/are 4 step(s) to the area/service.
  • The lighting levels at the step(s) are bright.
  • 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.

Additional Info

  • Documents can be requested in Braille.
  • Documents can be requested in large print.
  • A member of staff trained in BSL skills is not generally on duty.
  • This service can be requested.
  • Staff are Text Relay aware.