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Park Wood - Launderette, Co-op and Student Hub

University of Kent, Park Wood Road, Canterbury, Kent, CT2 7NN

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Access Guide

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Introduction

  • Services / facilities within the building include Parkwood Laundrette which is located at the rear of the old Essentials which has since closed.
    There is a new Co-op shop in the Park Wood Student Hub building, to the east of the Reception and Laundrette.
  • Park Wood Reception link (new tab) - click here.

Getting Here (Getting to Park Wood: Essentials and Laundrette)

  • By Road View
    • Park Wood is located to the north side of the Canterbury Campus, accessed via Park Wood Road.
      Park Wood Road connects to Giles Lane which runs through central campus and connects the A290 Whitstable Road.
      The Essentials and Laundrette are located close to the reception, just off Park Wood Road on the north side of Park Wood Courts.
    • The Park Wood Essentials and Laundrette share parking with the reception and administration building.
      The nearest campus car park for visitors (pay and display), University Pink or Blue Permit or Accessible Parking Permit/ Blue Badge holders is the Pavilion Car Park off Park Wood Road.
      This is over 200 metres from the Essentials and Laundrette (245 metres).
  • By Bus View
    • There are frequent Unibus services linking the University campus with the centre of Canterbury and Canterbury East and West train stations.
      The nearest bus stop is on Parkwood Road close to the Pavilion and Indoor Tennis and Events Arena.
  • By Train View
    • The nearest train station is Canterbury West, to the north of the city centre. There are buses linking the city centre with the University campus, with stops about 5 minutes away from the station.
  • Useful Links View

Useful Information (University of Kent)

Building Parking

  • The building does not have its own dedicated parking.
  • Site/Campus Car Parks View
    • There is a site/campus car park for staff, students and visitors within approximately 200m.
    • There is a/are Blue Badge parking bay(s) available within the car park.
    • The name of the car park is Park Wood Courts.
    • The car park is located outside Reception and close to the Co-op and laundrette.
    • The restrictions are from 8am to 5pm Monday to Friday (blue and pink permit holders). There are various small car parks outside all the courts (without blue badge bays), with the main section with Blue Badge bays by Reception. The pay and display/ permit restricted car park (Pavilion) is around 250 metres away from the Co-op/laundrette.
  • Public Car Parks View
    • There is not a car park for public use within 200m (approx).
  • Drop Off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop off point.

Site/Campus Car Park (Park Wood Courts)

  • Car Park View
    • The car park is located outside the Reception and laundrette. It is central to the Park Wood courts.
    • The nearest building(s) to this car park is/are Lypeatt court, Reception/ laundrette, Co-op.
    • The car park type is open air/surface.
    • The car park does not have a height restriction barrier.
    • The car park surface is tarmac.
    • Designated Blue Badge parking bays are available.
    • The Blue Badge bay(s) is/are clearly marked and signposted.
    • There is/are 3 designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) within this car park.
    • The dimensions of the designated parking bay(s) are 230cm x 475cm (7ft 7in x 15ft 7in).
    • The dimensions of the designated bays do not vary in size.
  • Charges and Restrictions View
    • This car park can be used by Blue Badge holders, permit holders, staff permit holders and student permit holders.
    • There are no parking charges that apply on the day.
    • Signs are provided to give information on parking charges/restrictions.
    • Signs are clearly presented.
  • Drop Off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop off point in this car park.
  • Car Park Access View
    • There is sloped access to the car park from the laundrette/ Co-op.
    • This car park is not clearly signposted from the laundrette/Co-op.
    • The nearest designated bay is 32m (34yd 2ft) from the the laundrette. It is 38 metres from the Co-op entrance.
  • Comments View
    • The car park is restricted to Blue and Pink permit holders or Blue Badge holders with a valid virtual University permit from 8am Monday to 5pm Friday.

Site/Campus Car Park (Pavilion)

  • Car Park View
    • The car park is located off Park Wood Road to the north side of campus.
    • The nearest building(s) to this car park is/are Pavilion and Indoor Tennis and Events Arena.
    • The car park type is open air/surface.
    • The car park does not have a height restriction barrier.
    • The car park surface is tarmac.
    • Designated Blue Badge parking bays are available.
    • The Blue Badge bay(s) is/are clearly marked and signposted.
    • There is/are 3 designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) within this car park.
    • The dimensions of the designated parking bay(s) are 229cm x 460cm (7ft 6in x 15ft 1in).
    • The dimensions of the designated bays do not vary in size.
  • Charges and Restrictions View
    • This car park can be used by visitors, Blue Badge holders, permit holders, staff permit holders and student permit holders.
    • Parking charges apply for all except permit and Blue Badge holders.
    • Signs are provided to give information on parking charges/restrictions.
    • Signs are clearly presented.
    • Payment machines are located at the rear of the car park.
    • There is a payment machine at a convenient height for wheelchair users.
    • There is a level turning space (minimum 185cm x 210cm) in front of the payment machine(s).
    • Payment can be made by phone.
  • Drop Off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop off point in this car park.
  • Car Park Access View
    • There is ramped/sloped or stepped access to the car park from the Park Wood Essentials and Laundrette.
    • This car park is not clearly signposted from the Park Wood Essentials and Laundrette.
    • The nearest designated bay is 362m (395yd 2ft) from the Park Wood Essentials and Laundrette.

Opening Times (Co-Op)

  • Monday 08:00 - 00:00.
  • Tuesday 08:00 - 00:00.
  • Wednesday 08:00 - 00:00.
  • Thursday 08:00 - 00:00.
  • Friday 08:00 - 00:00.
  • Saturday 08:00 - 00:00.
  • Sunday 08:00 - 00:00.

Outside Access (Co-op/ Student Hub Entrance)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located at the front of the building opposite Reception.
    • There is step free access at this entrance.
    • There is not a bell/buzzer.
    • There is not an intercom.
    • There is not a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at this entrance.
    • The main door(s) open(s) automatically.
    • The door(s) is / are double.
    • The width of the door opening is 192cm (6ft 4in).
    • There is a small lip on the threshold of the entrance, with a height of less than 2cm.
  • Step(s) View
    • There is a / are step(s) at this entrance.
    • The step(s) is / are located to the left as you face the entrance.
    • There is / are 5 step(s) to access the entrance.
    • There is tactile paving at the top and bottom of the step(s).
    • The step(s) is / are not clearly marked.
    • The step(s) is / are medium height (11cm - 17cm).
    • The steps do have handrails.
    • The handrails are on both sides.
  • Comments View
    • Photograph 1-2 shows the entrance to the building. There is an identical door to right, as shown in photograph 3, which leads into same area on the ground floor. This entrance has Woody's bar directly ahead of it. This entrance has a key card reader 74cm high.
    • The steps (photograph 6) can be avoided if heading from the car park as the steps are from one direction only (from the access road and courts across the road). There are very slight slopes from the car park as shown in photographs 4 and 5.

Outside Access (Laundrette Entrance)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located tothe rear of the building, close to the Reception and Park Wood Courts car park.
    • There is ramped/sloped access at this entrance.
    • There is not a bell/buzzer.
    • There is not an intercom.
    • There is not a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at this entrance.
    • The main door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
    • The door(s) is / are double (with one leaf locked).
    • The door(s) may be difficult to open.
    • The width of the door opening is 78cm (2ft 7in).
    • There is a small lip on the threshold of the entrance, with a height of less than 2cm.
  • Ramp/Slope View
    • There is a ramp/slope at this entrance.
    • The ramp/slope is located either side of entrance along path (undulating/ uneven so slight slopes at times).
    • The ramp/slope gradient is slight.
    • The ramp is permanent.
    • The width of the ramp is 145cm (4ft 9in).
  • Comments View
    • Photograph 4 shows the uneven path towards the laundrette from the car park.

Other Floors (Student Hub)

  • Steps View
    • The floors which are accessible by stairs are 1, 2, 3.
    • The stairs are located in front of entrance to the Co-op/ Student Hub.
    • The stairs are approximately 8m from the main entrance.
    • There are 15+ steps between floors.
    • The lighting levels are good.
    • The steps are clearly marked.
    • The steps are medium height (11cm - 17cm).
    • The steps do have handrails.
    • The steps have a handrail on both sides.
    • There is a landing.
  • Comments View
    • The first staircase shown in photographs 1 and 2 accesses floor 2.
    • There is a similar staircase with a handrail on the right and single, manual, heavy doors to enter the stairwell. This is accessed via the rear of Woodys Bar on floor 1 or by the toilets in the student hub on floor 2. It accesses the Hub on floor 2 and up to 3rd floor for a roof terrace, however it is not completed yet.

Lift (Student Hub)

  • There is a lift for public use.
  • The lift is located just inside the entrance on the ground floor.
  • The lift is a standard lift.
  • The floors which are accessible by this lift are 1, 2.
  • Wall mounted information boards are provided at lift landings.
  • The weight limit for the lift is 630kg.
  • The lift is approximately 7m (7yd 1ft) from the Co-op/ Student Hub main entrance.
  • Staff do not need to be notified for use of the lift.
  • The clear door width is 77cm (2ft 6in).
  • The dimensions of the lift are 106cm x 138cm (3ft 6in x 4ft 6in).
  • There are 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 an audible announcer.
  • The lift does not have a hearing enhancement system.
  • The lift does 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 good.

Inside Access (Co-op/ Student Hub)

  • There is level access to the service.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • This venue does not play background music.
  • The lighting levels are good.
  • Comments View
    • Co-op (ground floor - photographs 1-9): The staffed checkouts (2) have counter spaces 82cm and 72cm high. The one to the right when faced has a signed induction loop but no sound was picked up. They have a portable card machine.
    • The self-service checkouts have a counter space 57cm high with a 53cm recess. The top of the touch-screen is 150cm high. They are card only.
    • The aisles are narrowed to 56cm and 85cm due to product bins but the other aisles are over 100cm.
    • Standard baskets are available for use.
    • Woodys Bar (ground floor - photograph 10): Closed at time of survey (January 2022).
    • Student Hub (second floor - photographs 11-14): there are various meeting rooms/ studios and an It Hub. There is an accessible and standard toilet. On the second floor there is a roof terrace with a door 83cm wide and a key card reader 110cm high to access it. The roof terrace on floor 3 is not completed.

Inside Access (Laundrette)

  • There is level access to the service.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • This venue does not play background music.
  • The lighting levels are good.
  • Comments View
    • The controls for the washers and dryers are 110cm high. There are some of both that are at a convenient height for a wheelchair user.
    • They are paid for by using the Circuit Laundry App or using top-up cards.

Accessible Toilet(s) (Co-op/ Student Hub - Left Transfer)

  • There is an/are accessible toilet(s) available.
  • Location and Access View
    • This accessible toilet is located on floor 2 of the Student Hub/Co-op.
    • This accessible toilet is approximately 18m (19yd 2ft) from the lift.
    • There is step-free access into the accessible toilet, via lift.
    • This is a shared toilet.
    • A key is not required for the accessible toilet.
    • There is pictorial and written text signage on or near the toilet door.
    • The contrast between the external door and wall is good.
    • The door opens outwards.
    • The door may be difficult to open.
    • The door is locked by a twist lock.
    • The width of the accessible toilet opening is 85cm (2ft 9in).
    • The contrast between the internal door and wall is good.
    • The door does not have a horizontal grab rail.
  • Toilet Features View
    • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 230cm x 252cm (7ft 7in x 8ft 3in).
    • The accessible toilet does have an unobstructed minimum turning space of 150cm x 150cm.
    • The lighting levels are 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 145cm (4ft 9in).
    • The transfer space is obstructed by a waste disposal bin.
    • There is a flush, however it is not 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 poor.
    • 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) to the left of the toilet and wall is poor.
    • The contrast between the wall-mounted grab rail(s) to the right of the toilet and wall is fair.
    • The contrast between the walls and floor is good.
    • There is an emergency alarm.
    • The emergency pull cord alarm is fully functional.
    • There is a red flashing fire alarm beacon within the toilet.
    • Disposal facilities are available in the toilet.
    • There is a/are sanitary, nappy/incontinence items bin and general waste (with no lid) disposal units.
    • There is not a/are not coat hook(s).
  • Additional Fixtures View
    • There is not a mirror.
    • There is not a shelf within the accessible toilet.
    • The toilet has a backrest.
    • The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 48cm (1ft 7in).
    • The toilet seat colour contrast is good.
    • 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 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).
    • The height of the wash basin is 73cm (2ft 5in).
    • There is a vertical wall-mounted grab rail on the left hand side of the wash basin.
    • The contrast between the wash basin wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is poor.
    • The wash basin tap type is lever mixer.
    • There is a wall fixed soap dispenser.
    • The soap dispenser can be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The height of the soap dispenser is 91cm.
    • 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 118cm.
    • The contrast between the towel dispenser and the wall is fair.
    • There is not a hand dryer.
  • Accessible Shower View
    • The shower does have an unobstructed minimum 150cm x 150cm turning space.
    • There is a shower unit with a detachable shower head.
    • The shower head is height adjustable.
    • The adjustable shower head can be placed between 105cm and 185cm when mounted.
    • There is a flip-down/tip-up seat for the shower.
    • The seat/chair is not height adjustable.
    • The height of the flip-down/tip-up or fixed seat is 48cm (1ft 7in).
    • Horizontal and/or dropdown rails are available on both sides of the shower seat.
    • The colour contrast between the shower rails and wall is good.
    • There is a vertical grab rail for the shower.
    • The colour contrast between the vertical grab rail(s) for the shower and wall is good.
    • There is not an emergency alarm for the shower.
  • Comments View
    • The shower has drop-down on boith sides and vertical/ horizontal grab rails. The shower has two shower heads, with one fixed and one adjustable.

Standard Toilet(s) (Co-op/ Student Hub)

  • Standard toilet facilities are available.
  • Toilet Facilities View
    • The shared toilet is located on floor 2 of the Student Hub.
    • There is step-free access into the toilet(s), via lift.
    • The standard toilet(s) is/are approximately 21m from the lift.
    • The colour contrast between the external toilet door(s) and wall(s) is good.
    • There is pictorial and written text signage on or near the toilet door.
    • An ambulant toilet cubicle is not available.
    • The height of the wash basin(s) is 82cm.
    • The wash basin(s) tap type is push.
    • Lighting levels are good.
    • Some of the doors open inwards, whilst some open outwards.