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Visitor Centre Reception, including the Concorde Hangar and Conference Rooms

The Runway Visitor Park, Sunbank Lane, Altrincham, WA15 8XQ

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Access Guide

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Summary

  • The Visitor Centre Reception, including the Concorde Hangar and Conference Rooms, is located within the Manchester Airport Runway Visitor Park. For more information on how to get to the park, parking and getting around the park, please see the separate guide for the Runway Visitor Park.
  • For more information on Manchester Airport Runway Visitor Park please click here (new tab).
  • Services/facilities within the venue include the Visitor Centre Reception, the Concorde Hangar, the Alpha Charlie Suite, the Avro Suite, the Aviation Shop and toilets.

Getting Help and Assistance

  • There is a member of staff available for help and assistance.
  • There is not a member of staff trained in British Sign Language.
  • The alternative formats documents can be provided in include: Braille on request, different languages on request and large print on request.
  • There is an assistance dog toilet or toileting area at the venue/nearby.
  • The assistance dog toilet or toileting area is located on the grass areas.
  • Water bowls for assistance dogs are available.
  • There are mobility aids available.
  • The mobility aids available include wheelchairs.
  • To obtain mobility aids please contact reception.
  • The Runway Visitor Park is a Dementia Friendly Site and champion.
  • There is a portable hearing loop available from the visitor centre reception.

Outside Access (Main Entrance)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located at the front of the building.
    • The entrance area/door is clearly signed.
    • There is step-free access at this entrance.
    • There is a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at this entrance.
    • The entrance door(s) does not/do not contrast visually with its immediate surroundings.
    • The main door(s) open(s) automatically (towards you).
    • The main automatic door(s) is/are push pad or push button activated.
    • The door(s) is/are double width but one door is locked.
    • The width of the opening is 82cm.
    • There is a small lip on the threshold of the entrance, with a height of 2cm or below.

Reception

  • Reception View
    • The reception point is located ahead as you enter.
    • The reception point is approximately 6m (6yd 1ft) from the visitor centre entrance.
    • The reception area/desk is clearly visible from the entrance.
    • There is step-free access to the reception point.
    • There is a clear unobstructed route to the reception point.
    • There are no windows, TVs, glazed screens or mirrors behind the reception point which could adversely affect the ability of someone to lip read.
    • The counter is placed in front of a plain background.
    • The lighting levels at the reception point are good.
    • The height of the reception counter is 110cm.
    • There is sufficient space to write or sign documents on the counter.
    • There is a lowered section of the counter.
    • The height of the lowered section at the counter is 74cm.
    • There is sufficient space to write or sign documents on the lowered section of the counter.
    • There is a clear knee recess beneath the low/lowered section of the counter.
    • The counter is staffed.
    • There is a hearing assistance system at the reception point.
    • The type of system is a portable loop.
    • The hearing assistance system is signed.
    • Staff are trained to use the hearing assistance system.
    • The type of flooring in the reception area is vinyl.
    • There is some flooring which is shiny and could cause issues with glare or look slippery to some people.
  • Reception Seating Area View
    • There is a seating area close to the reception point.
    • Access to the seating area is unobstructed.
    • There are chairs with armrests available.
    • There is sufficient space for a wheelchair user to use the seating area.

Alpha Charlie Suite

  • The Alpha Charlie Suite is located to the right of reception as you face it, next to the corridor leading to the toilets.
  • The tables and chairs in this room are not fixed, so can be set up in any configuration required.
  • None of the chairs in the rooms have armrests.
  • The suite is well lit.

Avro Suite

  • The Avro Suite is located on the far right of the reception area as you enter.
  • The seating in the suite is fixed with armrests on both sides.
  • There is space in the central aisle way for wheelchair users.
  • The lighting in the room is adjustable.
  • This room is used as the tour briefing room, all tours on the park start here.
  • It is also used for conferences and meetings.

Outside Access (Aviation Shop Entrance)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located at the front of the building, to the left of the main entrance as you face it.
    • The entrance area/door is clearly signed.
    • There is step-free access at this entrance.
    • There is a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at this entrance.
    • The entrance door(s) does not/do not contrast visually with its immediate surroundings.
    • The main door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
    • The door(s) is/are single width.
    • The door(s) may be difficult to open.
    • The width of the opening is 91cm.
    • There is a small lip on the threshold of the entrance, with a height of 2cm or below.
  • Comments View
    • There is also an internal entrance into the shop from the reception area, which has no doors.

Shop

  • The majority of aisle widths are not 150cm+.
  • The type of flooring is vinyl.
  • There is flooring which is shiny and could cause issues with glare or look slippery to some people.
  • There is good colour contrast between the walls and floor in all areas.
  • The lighting levels are moderate to good.
  • The till(s) is/are located at the rear of the shop.
  • There is step-free access to the till(s).
  • There is a clear unobstructed route to the till(s).
  • The till(s) is/are not clearly signed.
  • There are no windows, TVs, glazed screens or mirrors at/behind the till(s).
  • The till(s) is not/are not placed in front of a plain background.
  • The lighting levels at the till(s) are moderate to good.
  • The chip & pin card machines are accessible from the till(s).
  • The height of the till(s) is/are 90cm.
  • There is not a lowered section at the till(s).
  • There is not a hearing assistance system at the till(s).

Entrance (Concorde Hangar)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located to the far left as you face the reception desk.
    • The entrance area/door is clearly signed.
    • There is ramped/sloped access at this entrance.
    • The entrance door(s) does/do contrast visually with its immediate surroundings.
    • The main door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
    • The door(s) is/are double width.
    • The door(s) is/are permanently held open.
    • The width of the opening is 160cm.
  • Ramp/Slope View
    • The ramp/slope is located just inside the entrance leading into the hangar.
    • The gradient of the ramp/slope is slight.
    • The ramp/slope is permanent.
    • There is not a level landing at the top of the ramp/slope.
  • Comments View
    • The ramp has a handrail on the left hand side for the first part only.

Concorde Hangar

  • The hangar can only be accessed from the Visitor Centre Reception as part of a tour.
  • The hangar itself has level, carpeted flooring.
  • The Concorde can only be accessed by 15+ deep steps with handrails on both sides.

Accessible Toilet(s) (Left Hand Transfer)

  • There is an/are accessible toilet(s) for public use.
  • Location and Access View
    • This accessible toilet is located in the toilet area, at the end of the corridor to the right of reception.
    • This accessible toilet is approximately 19m (20yd 2ft) from the main entrance.
    • There is step-free access into the accessible toilet.
  • Features and Dimensions View
    • This is a shared toilet.
    • There is pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
    • The door opens outwards.
    • The door is heavy.
    • The door is locked by a locking handle.
    • The width of the accessible toilet door is 86cm (2ft 10in).
    • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 258cm x 220cm (8ft 6in x 7ft 3in).
    • The accessible toilet does have an unobstructed minimum turning space of 150cm x 150cm.
    • The toilet has a non-slip floor.
    • There is a lateral transfer space.
    • As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on the left.
    • The lateral transfer space is 188cm (6ft 2in).
    • There is a flush, however it is not on the transfer side.
    • There is not a spatula type lever flush.
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • There is an emergency alarm.
    • The emergency pull cord alarm is fully functional.
    • There is not a flashing fire alarm beacon within the toilet.
    • Disposal facilities are available in the toilet.
    • There is a/are non-infectious waste disposal units.
    • There is not a/are not coat hook(s).
  • Position of Fixtures View
    • 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.
    • There is a mirror.
    • The mirror is placed at a lower level or at an angle for ease of use.
    • There is not a shelf next to the toilet.
    • The toilet has a cistern.
    • The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 50cm (1ft 8in).
    • 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).
    • There are vertical wall-mounted grab rails on both sides of the wash basin.
    • The wash basin tap type is lever.
    • There is a mixer tap.
    • There is a soap dispenser.
    • The soap dispenser can be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The height of the soap dispenser is 98cm.
    • There is not a towel dispenser.
    • 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 114cm (3ft 9in).
  • Colour Contrast and Lighting View
    • The contrast between the external door and wall is fair.
    • The contrast between the internal door and wall is fair.
    • The contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall is good.
    • The contrast between the wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is good.
    • The toilet seat colour contrast is good.
    • The contrast between the walls and floor is good.
    • The lighting levels are good.
  • Baby Changing Facilities View
    • Baby changing facilities are located within the accessible toilet.
    • The baby change table is not set against the wall, permanently fixed at 75cm from the floor.
    • The baby change table is not height adjustable.
    • The height of the baby change table once extended is 83cm (2ft 9in).
  • Comments View
    • This accessible toilet has Non Visual Disabilities signage (photograph 4).

Standard Toilet(s)

  • Standard toilet facilities are available.
  • Access to Standard Female and Male Toilet(s) View
    • The female and male toilet facilities that were surveyed are located in the toilet area, at the end of the corridor to the right of reception.
    • The female and male toilets are approximately 20m (21yd 2ft) from the main entrance.
    • There is step-free access into the female and male toilet(s).
    • There is pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
    • An ambulant toilet with wall-mounted grab rails is available.
    • There is a horizontal grab rail to the left of the seat.
    • The wash basin tap type is lever.
    • There is not a flashing fire alarm beacon within the toilets.
    • Lighting levels are good.
    • There is a/are similar standard toilet(s) available.