Skip to main content
The new name for DisabledGo

Search for accessible places to go

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Students' Union Building

University of Lancashire, Fylde Road, Preston, PR1 7BY

View Accessibility Symbols

Accessibility Symbols

For more information about what these symbols mean, view our Accessibility Symbols Guide.

Close this popup window.

Access Guide

Show Easy Read

Overview

Getting Inside

  • The approach to the building is step-free via slight slopes.
  • The Students' Union Building has three entrances, the most accessible is a single automatic door which provides step-free sloped access to the main concourse on level 1. This is the main entrance.
  • The main entrance is signed with the building name; the other entrance is not signed.
  • The main entrance provides step-free level access to the concourse on level 1.
  • The ground level entrance is located on Fylde Road and give step-free level access to the ground level foyer via automatic doors (at the time of the survey in May 2026 these doors were permanently held open)
  • There is an internal link between the Students' Union Building and the Lampworks venue on level 1 of the Students' Union Building.

Getting Around

  • There is step-free level access throughout the majority of the building on all levels.
  • There is a slight slope to enter the Essentials Hub on level 1.
  • Floor surfaces along all circulation routes are hard and smooth, with some having a shiny finish.
  • There are resting areas in some circulation and lobby areas with a mixture of seating.
  • Wall mounted wayfinding signage is provided throughout the building.
  • There are manual doors along circulation routes throughout the building.

Toilet and Changing Facilities

  • Toilet Facilities View
    • There are 4 toilets with adaptations.
    • Toilets with adaptations are located on ground level and level 1.
    • The transfer space varies between left and right in the toilets with adaptations.
    • The toilet with adaptations on level 1 (room SU108) is also signed for use as a standard shared toilet.
    • The male step-free standard toilet facilities are located on level 1.
    • The female step-free standard toilet facilities are located on level 1 .
  • Changing Places and Changing Facilities View
    • Parent and baby changing facilities are located to the right of the Students' Union Café.

Parking

  • Car Park View
    • The car park is located at the side of the Victoria Building on Victoria Street.
    • The car park is open air/surface.
    • The car park surface consists of tarmac.
    • There are 7 designated Blue Badge parking bays available.
    • The Blue Badge bays are clearly marked.
    • The surveyed Blue Badge parking bay dimensions are 260cm (width) x 460cm (depth).
    • There is a marked zone to both sides but not at the rear.
    • The width of the marked zone is 120cm.
    • The nearest designated bay is 48m from the Victoria Building entrance.
    • The most accessible route from the Blue Badge parking has uneven surfaces.
  • Charges and Restrictions View
  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop-off point available.

Main Entrance

  • This entrance is located to the front of the building.
  • The entrance area is not clearly signed.
  • There is not a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at the entrance.
  • There is step-free access via slope at the entrance.
  • The slope has a slight gradient.
  • The slope bypasses the steps.
  • There are 8 steps with handrails on both sides.
  • The handrails are easy to grip.
  • The handrails cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
  • The handrails extend horizontally beyond the first and last step.
  • The steps have some clear markings.
  • The steps have tactile markings at the bottom.
  • The height of the steps is between 15cm and 18cm.
  • The height of the highest step is 15cm.
  • The depth of the steps is not between 30cm and 45cm.
  • There is a single automatic door at this entrance.
  • The door has a locked extension leaf.
  • The locked extension leaf can be opened on request.
  • The door opens towards you.
  • The width of the opening is 94cm.
  • The door has a low visual contrast.
  • There is step-free level access as you enter.

Entrance (Link from Students' Union Building to Lampworks)

  • This entrance is located to the right of the merchandise shop in the Students' Union Building on level 1.
  • The entrance area is clearly signed.
  • There is step-free level access at the entrance.
  • There are double manual doors at this entrance.
  • The doors open towards you.
  • The doors require effort to open.
  • The width of the opening is 160cm.
  • The doors have a high visual contrast.

Lift

  • The lift surveyed is located to the left of the main entrance, on level 1.
  • The distance from the main entrance is 17m.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access and manual doors.
  • The levels G, 1 and 2 are accessed by this lift.
  • The lift door has a high visual contrast.
  • The lift has a level manoeuvring space in front of it for a wheelchair user (150cm x 150cm).
  • The weight limit for the lift is 630kg.
  • The external lift control buttons have tactile markings, Braille markings and a high visual contrast.
  • All of the external lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • The lift door opening width is 80cm.
  • The internal dimensions of the lift are 105cm (width) x 140cm (depth).
  • The internal lift control buttons have tactile markings and a high visual contrast.
  • The majority of the internal controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • Internally the lift has: a mirror to aid reversing, a visual floor indicator and an audible announcer.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

Stairs

  • The stairs surveyed are located to the right of the Students' Union Café, via the double manual doors on level 1.
  • There are double manual doors to access the stairwell.
  • The levels G, 1 and 2 can be accessed by these stairs.
  • There are 20 steps between floors.
  • The steps have some clear markings and have handrails on both sides.
  • The handrails are easy to grip.
  • The handrails cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
  • The handrails do not extend horizontally beyond the first and last step.
  • The height of the steps is between 15cm and 18cm.
  • The height of the highest step is 17cm.
  • The depth of the steps is not between 30cm and 45cm.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

Merchandise Shop and Welcome Point

  • The counter is located on level 1 to the right of the main entrance.
  • The distance from the main entrance is 13m.
  • There is step-free level access to the counter.
  • The height of the counter is 121cm.
  • There is not a lowered section at the counter.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • There is background noise in this area.
  • Some flooring is shiny.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
  • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre in the seating area (150cm x 150cm).
  • There is space for an assistance dog to rest in the seating area.
  • Seating available in this area includes: chairs without armrests.
  • Furniture available in this area includes: tables.
  • The seating area is all around the concourse and including opposite the desk.

Students' Union Café

  • Location and Access View
    • The Students' Union Café is located on level 1 ahead from the main entrance.
    • The most accessible route has step-free level access.
    • There is step-free level access into this area.
  • Service View
    • This area has a counter where food and drink can be ordered, self service counters and staff who can provide assistance with ordering.
    • Full table service is not available.
    • Menus types include: handheld, digital and countertop.
    • The following dietary requirements can be catered for: gluten free, dairy free, lactose free, nut allergy, vegetarian and vegan.
    • The following are available: drinking straws, takeaway cups and takeaway cutlery.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • Order and Payment View
    • The payment counter was surveyed.
    • The counter is located ahead from the café entrance.
    • There is step-free level access to the counter.
    • The height of the counter is 112cm.
    • There is a lowered section at the counter.
    • The height of the lowered section is 80cm.
    • The counter has windows and patterned/distracting backgrounds.
    • The height of the touchscreen display ranges from 130cm to 140cm from the floor.
  • Seating Area View
    • There is step-free level access throughout the seating area.
    • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
    • There is space for an assistance dog to rest.
    • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
    • Seating available in this area includes: chairs with armrests, chairs without armrests, benches, stools and high stools.
    • Furniture available in this area includes: tables, coffee tables and high tables.
    • Some tables are fixed.
    • The surface height of some of the tables is suitable for wheelchair users.
    • The clear height under some of the tables is suitable for wheelchair users.
    • There is background noise in this area.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey, with unshaded light sources.

Reflection, Feeding and Changing Space

  • The room surveyed is located on level 1 to the right of the Students' Union Café.
  • The distance from the main entrance is 37m.
  • The most accessible route to the room has step-free level access and narrow openings.
  • There is step-free level access into the room.
  • There is written text signage on or near the door.
  • The door opens inwards and has a high visual contrast.
  • The door is easy to open.
  • The width of the door opening is 87cm.
  • Internally the door has a high visual contrast.
  • The height of the baby change facility when in use is 82cm.
  • The room has no disposal facilities.
  • Seating available in the room includes: chairs without armrests and stools.
  • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

The Essentials Hub

  • The room is located on level 1 to the right of the Students' Union Café on the left of the corridor.
  • The distance from the main entrance is 38m.
  • The most accessible route to the room has step-free level access.
  • There is written text signage on or near the door.
  • There is step-free access via slope into the room.
  • The slope has a slight gradient.
  • There is a single manual door with a high visual contrast.
  • The door is permanently held open.
  • The width of the opening is 91cm.
  • There is step-free level access throughout the room.
  • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
  • There is space for an assistance dog to rest.
  • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
  • Seating available in the room includes: chairs with armrests.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • There is background noise in this room.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
  • There is a payment counter in the Essentials Hub, the height of this is 122cm.
  • The Essentials Hub is open on Thursdays from 10:00 to 16:00.

Toilet with Adaptations (Right Hand Transfer)

  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet surveyed is located on level 1 to the right of the main entrance.
    • The distance from main entrance is 17m.
    • The most accessible route to the toilet has step-free level access.
    • There is step-free level access into the facility.
    • There is Braille, tactile, pictorial, written text and numbered signage on or near the door.
    • The door opens inwards and has a high visual contrast.
    • The door is easy to open.
    • The width of the door opening is 86cm.
    • The door has a locking handle.
    • Internally the door has a high visual contrast.
    • There is a grab rail on the internal door with a high visual contrast.
  • Dimensions and Features View
    • The dimensions of the cubicle are 203cm (width) x 196cm (depth) and there is not room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
    • There is a lateral transfer space to the right as you face the toilet, however it is obstructed.
    • The lateral transfer space is 104cm (from the side of the toilet pan).
    • There is a spatula flush on the transfer side.
    • There is a horizontal grab rail on the non-transfer side.
    • The horizontal grab rail has a high visual contrast.
    • There is a vertical grab rail on the transfer side.
    • The vertical grab rail has a high visual contrast.
    • There is no dropdown rail for the toilet.
    • The toilet seat is 45cm from the floor.
    • The toilet seat has a low visual contrast.
    • There is a wall mounted toilet roll holder which can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The toilet roll holder has a high visual contrast.
    • The toilet roll holder is 89cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin and taps can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is 70cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin has a lever mixer tap.
    • The vertical grab rail is on the right as you face the wash basin.
    • The wash basin grab rail has a high visual contrast.
    • There is a wall mounted soap dispenser which can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The soap dispenser has a high visual contrast.
    • The soap dispenser is 107cm from the floor.
    • There is a wall mounted towel dispenser which can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The towel dispenser has a high visual contrast.
    • The towel dispenser is 108cm from the floor.
    • There is a wall mounted hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer has a high visual contrast.
    • The hand dryer is 88cm from the floor.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm, however it is not within 10cm from the floor.
    • There is a full length mirror.
    • There is no shelf.
    • The cubicle has a waste bin and a sanitary bin.
    • There is one coat hook.
    • The coat hook is 124cm from the floor.
    • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.