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The Oracle - Riverside

The Oracle Shopping Centre, Reading, RG1 2AG

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Access Guide

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Getting Here

  • By Road View
    • The Oracle is in the centre of Reading, with various routes to the venue.
      For sat nav users please use the following postcodes for our car parks:
      Holy Brook Car Park, Bridge Street, RG1 2LR.
      The Riverside Car Park, Mill Lane, RG1 2AG.
    • There are two car parks available: Holy Brook and The Riverside.
  • By Bus View
  • By Train View
    • The nearest Railway Station is Reading.
    • Reading Station has connections throughout the UK and is situated just 5 minutes walk away.
      Simply exit the station through the main entrance and cross over the pedestrian crossing immediately outside.
      Turn left and follow the road straight ahead until you come to the end of the road which brings you out into Broad Street opposite John Lewis.
      Turn left and The Oracle is on the right hand side, opposite Marks and Spencer.
    • For more information on Reading Station please click here (opens new tab).

Getting Help and Assistance

  • For more information on Shopmobility please click here (new tab).
  • There is a member of staff trained in British Sign Language. Please phone the venue in advance for more information
  • Guest Services Associates do receive training in escorting visually impaired people.
  • Escorts do need to be booked in advance.
    Trained escorts are available for people with a visual impairment.
    Visual escorts do need to be booked in advance.
    Trained escorts are available for people with a hearing impairment.
    Hearing escorts do need to be booked in advance.
  • Alternative formats of the shopping centre map are available in large print.
  • There is not an assistance dog toilet or toileting area at the venue/nearby.
  • There is not a designated place of safety which can be used by people with dementia, autism or learning disabilities.
  • The venue offers a quiet shopping experience.
  • Autism hours occur on the first Tuesday of every month, 09:30-11:30. Please call in advance for further information.
  • Water bowls for assistance dogs are available.
  • There are mobility aids available.
  • The mobility aids available include ceiling track hoists, wheelchairs, mobility scooters, motorised wheelchairs and adjustable beds.
  • To obtain mobility aids please contact the Guest Services Counter on Level 1.
  • A Shopper's Assistant is also available Monday - Wednesday to help the elderly and people with mobility problems.
    To book this service in advance contact the Guest Services Counter on Level 1.
  • Membership with Shopmobility is free.
    There is a drop off area just outside the Shopmobility.
    There is a ReadiBus stop outside the Yield Hall Entrance.
    ReadiBus is a free local disability bus.
  • At the time of survey (February 2022) Oracle Shopmobility was closed, however mobility equipment can still be provided via the Guest Services Counter on Level 1.

Parking

Access Point (Bridge Street - North of the River)

  • This information is for the access point located on Bridge Street, north of the River Kennett.
  • This access point gives access to the Riverside and entrance to the mall.
  • The access point is clearly signed.
  • This access point sign says 'The Oracle Riverside'.
  • There is ramped/sloped or stepped access at this access point.
  • There are bollards at this access point.
  • The minimum width between the bollards is 120cm.
  • Access Point View
    • The height of the bollard(s) is 97cm.
    • The bollards do have an identification band to aid visually impaired people.
  • Ramp/Slope View
    • The ramp/slope is located off Bridge Street.
    • The gradient of the ramp/slope is slight.
    • The ramp/slope is permanent.
    • There is a level landing at the top of the ramp/slope.
    • There is a/are handrail(s) at the ramp.
    • The handrail(s) is/are on the left going up.
    • The ramp/slope does bypass the step(s).
  • Step(s) View
    • The step(s) is/are located off Bridge Street, to the left of the ramp.
    • There is/are 3 step(s).
    • The step(s) is/are not clearly marked.
    • The height of the step(s) is/are not between 15cm and 18cm.
    • The height of the step(s) is/are 11cm.
    • The going of the step(s) is/are between 30cm and 45cm.
    • There is not a/are not handrail(s) at the step(s).
  • Comments View
    • There are two access points located on Bridge Street, north of the River Kennett.
    • The first access point has an opening width of 200cm.
    • There is a slight ramp leading down to the riverside with handrails on the right.
    • The ramp overcomes the steps and the other access point.
    • The second access point has a bollards at the top of the slope.
    • There is a steep slope after the bollards leading down to the Riverside.

Access Point (Bridge Street - South of the River)

  • This information is for the access point located on the south side of the River Kennett.
  • This access point gives access to the Riverside and entrance to the mall.
  • This access point sign says 'The Oracle Riverside'.
  • There is ramped/sloped access at this access point.
  • There are bollards at this access point.
  • The minimum width between the bollards is 110cm.
  • Access Point View
    • The height of the bollard(s) is 114cm.
    • The bollards do have an identification band to aid visually impaired people.
  • Ramp/Slope View
    • The ramp/slope is located beyond the bollards leading down to the riverside.
    • The gradient of the ramp/slope is slight.
    • The ramp/slope is permanent.
    • There is a level landing at the top of the ramp/slope.

Access Point (Yield Hall Place - North of the River)

  • This information is for the access point located on the north side of the River Kennett.
  • This access point gives access to the north side of the River Kennett.
  • The access point is clearly signed.
  • This access point sign says 'The Oracle Riverside'.
  • There is ramped/sloped access at this access point.
  • There are bollards at this access point.
  • The minimum width between the bollards is 120cm.
  • Access Point View
    • The height of the bollard(s) is 99cm.
    • The bollards do have an identification band to aid visually impaired people.
  • Ramp/Slope View
    • The ramp/slope is located in front of and beyond the bollards leading down to the riverside.
    • The gradient of the ramp/slope is steep.
    • The ramp/slope is permanent.
    • There is a level landing at the top of the ramp/slope.
  • Comments View
    • At the time of survey (February 2022) there were barrier gates placed after the bollards to prevent cyclists using this pavement (photograph 3).

Access Point (Yield Hall Place - South of the River)

  • This information is for the access point located on the south side of the River Kennett.
  • This access point gives access to the Riverside and entrance to the mall.
  • The access point is clearly signed.
  • This access point sign says 'The Oracle Riverside'.
  • There is ramped/sloped access at this access point.
  • There are bollards at this access point.
  • The minimum width between the bollards is 105cm.
  • Access Point View
    • The height of the bollard(s) is 120cm.
    • The bollards do have an identification band to aid visually impaired people.
  • Ramp/Slope View
    • The ramp/slope is located beyond the bollards.
    • The gradient of the ramp/slope is slight.
    • The ramp/slope is permanent.
    • There is a level landing at the top of the ramp/slope.
  • Comments View
    • The slope is steeper at one end.

External Area(s) (Riverside)

  • Digital wayfinders are not available.
  • Information posts are provided to aid wayfinding.
  • This external area is not covered.
  • The type of flooring in this area is stone/concrete paving.
  • The following types of seating can be found in this area; wooden benches.
  • There are some centrally located kiosks or shops along walkways in this area.
  • There is an events area which is located either side of the river.
  • There is step free access in this area.
  • The Riverside is home to a number of cafĂ©'s, restaurants, bars and a cinema.
    The Riverside is divided in two by the River Kennett.
    There is step-free access either side of the River Kennett.
    There are two bridges that provide access across the river.
    Both bridges have a very easy slope leading up to the bridge, which overcomes 6-8 medium height steps.
    The two event areas located either side of the river are shown in photographs 8 - 10.
    Benches and boxed seating is located at regular intervals and in the event areas (photographs 11 and 12).
  • There are easy slopes leading down to the event areas.
  • There are steps to access the event areas on both sides of the river.

Level Change (Events Area - North Side)

  • There is a ramp/slope located outside Next Beauty and Home.
  • The ramp/slope is used to access the north side events area.
  • The gradient of the ramp/slope is slight.
  • The ramp/slope is permanent.
  • There is a level landing at the top of the ramp/slope.
  • There is a/are handrail(s) at the ramp.
  • The handrail(s) is/are on the left going up.
  • The ramp/slope does bypass the step(s).
  • There is a/are step(s) located outside McDonald's.
  • The step(s) is/are used to access the north side events area.
  • There is/are 9 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 going of the step(s) is/are not between the recommended 30cm and 45cm.
  • There is a/are handrail(s) at the step(s).
  • The handrail(s) is/are on both sides.
  • Handrails are not 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.
  • Comments View
    • The ramp described above is long.
    • There is a second similar set of stairs with 9 steps located in the middle of the events area.
    • There is a third set of stairs of 9 steps located next to the ramp outside the Next store.

Level Change (Events Area - South Side)

  • There is a ramp/slope located opposite Las Iguanas.
  • The ramp/slope is used to access the south side events area.
  • The gradient of the ramp/slope is steep.
  • The ramp/slope is permanent.
  • There is a level landing at the top of the ramp/slope.
  • There is not a/are not handrail(s) at the ramp.
  • The ramp/slope does bypass the step(s).
  • There is a/are step(s) located in front of Nando's.
  • The step(s) is/are used to access the south side events area.
  • There is/are 12 step(s).
  • The step(s) is/are clearly marked.
  • The step(s) has/have tactile paving at the top and bottom.
  • The height of the step(s) is/are between 15cm and 18cm.
  • The height of the step(s) is/are 15cm.
  • The going of the step(s) is/are not between the recommended 30cm and 45cm.
  • There is a/are handrail(s) at the step(s).
  • The handrail(s) is/are in the centre.
  • 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.
  • Comments View
    • The ramp described above is long.
    • There is a second identical set of steps located to the left of the one described.
    • There is a third set of 13 steps located outside Vue (photograph 8).

Accessible Toilet(s)

  • There is not an/are not accessible toilet(s) available.
  • The nearest accessible toilet(s) is/are located on Holy Brook Walk - Level 1.

Standard Toilet(s)

  • Standard toilet facilities are not available.
  • The nearest standard toilet(s) is/are located on Holy Brook Walk - Level 1.

The Oracle