You are on Getting Here. Skip to the next section.

Getting Here

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• By Road View
  • The venue is on High Street, just off the A249.
  • Free on street parking is located on High Street.
• By Bus View
  • There is not a bus stop within 150 metres of the venue.
• By Train View
  • The nearest Railway Station is Sheerness-on-Sea.
  • Sheerness-on-Sea Station is approximately 0.5 miles away.
  • For more information on Sheerness-on-Sea Station please click here (opens new tab).
  • For more information on ticket prices and timetables please click here (opens new tab).

You are on Getting Help and Assistance. Skip to the next section.

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.
• There is not an assistance dog toilet or toileting area at the venue/nearby.
• Water bowls for assistance dogs are available.
• There are mobility aids available.
• The mobility aids available include wheelchairs and walking frames.
• To obtain mobility aids please contact the tea room.
• There is not a designated place of safety which can be used by people who may feel scared or at risk.

You are on Approach (High Street). Skip to the next section.

Approach (High Street)

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• Approach View
  • The surface of the approach is cobbled.
  • The approach surface is uneven in places.
• Ramp/Slope View
  • There is a ramp/slope on the approach.
  • The ramp/slope is permanent, has a slight gradient and has no handrails.

You are on Outside Access. Skip to the next section.

Outside Access

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• Entrance View
  • This information is for the entrance located at the front of the building.
  • The entrance area/door is clearly signed.
  • This entrance is signed with 'The Criterion Blue Town'.
  • There is ramped/sloped access at this entrance.
  • There is not a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at this entrance.
  • There is a dark mat or floor marking at this entrance that might be perceived as a hole.
  • The entrance door(s) does not/do not contrast visually with its immediate surroundings.
  • There is not a bell/buzzer.
  • There is not an intercom.
  • The main door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
  • The door(s) is/are double width but one door is locked.
  • The door(s) is/are easy to open.
  • The width of the opening is 72cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the entrance, with a height of 2cm or below.
• Ramp/Slope View
  • The ramp/slope is located in front of the entrance.
  • 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.
  • There is not a/are not handrail(s) at the ramp.

You are on Reception (Box Office). Skip to the next section.

Reception (Box Office)

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• Reception View
  • The reception point is located on the left as you enter the venue.
  • The reception point is approximately 8m (8yd 2ft) from the 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 windows, TVs, glazed screens or mirrors behind the reception point which could adversely affect the ability of someone to lip read.
  • The counter is not placed in front of a plain background.
  • The lighting levels at the reception point are low to moderate.
  • The height of the reception counter is 109cm.
  • There is sufficient space to write or sign documents on the counter.
  • There is not a lowered section of the counter.
  • The counter is staffed.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system at the reception point.
  • Signs and universally accepted symbols or pictograms, indicating lifts, stairs, WCs, circulation routes and other parts of the building are not provided in the reception area.
  • Music is played in some areas.
  • The type of flooring in the reception area is carpet.
  • There is some flooring which includes patterns or colours which could be confusing or look like steps or holes 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 tables and armchairs available.
  • There is sufficient space for a wheelchair user to use the seating area.
• Comments View
  • There is a slight slope on the approach to the box office which is marked with black and yellow hazard tape.

You are on Getting Around. Skip to the next section.

Getting Around

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• Access View
  • There is step-free access throughout the majority of the building, via lift.
• Circulation View
  • There are not doors in corridors/walkways which have to be opened manually.
  • The type of flooring in corridors/walkways is carpet.
  • There are mats on the floor that might be perceived as holes.
  • Handrails with a rounded or oval profile are not provided in corridors/walkways.
  • There is good colour contrast between the walls and floor in the majority of corridors/walkways.
  • There is a mixture of seating with and without armrests at regular intervals.
  • The lighting levels are varied.
  • Access to other floors/levels is via stairs and lift.
• Signage View
  • Wayfinding signage is not provided.
• Safe Place(s) View
  • There is not a designated place of safety which can be used by people with dementia, autism or learning disabilities.
• Audio View
  • There is not a hearing assistance system in the public areas of the building.

You are on Eating and Drinking (Tea Room). Skip to the next section.

Eating and Drinking (Tea Room)

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• Location and Access View
  • The following information is for the café/bar.
  • The café/bar is located directly ahead as you enter.
  • There is step-free access to the café/bar.
• Service and Menus View
  • Tables cannot be booked in advance.
  • There is a counter where food and drink can be ordered.
  • Staff can bring food and/or drinks to tables.
  • Menu types include: handheld menus and large print menus.
  • Menus are clearly written.
  • Menus are presented in contrasting colours.
  • Staff can read menus to customers if requested.
  • The type of food served here is hot and cold meals and snacks.
  • Plastic/takeaway cups are available.
  • Adapted cups are not available.
  • Adapted cutlery is not available.
  • Drinking straws are available.
  • This area does play background music.
  • Background music is only played during certain functions.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system .
  • There is a portable card machine available for payment.
• Service Counter(s) View
  • The height of the counter is 92cm.
  • There is a moveable card machine available for payment.
  • The type of flooring in this area is carpet.
• Tables and Seating View
  • There is ample room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
  • The majority of tables are accessible to wheelchair users.
  • The height between the floor and the underside of the lowest dining table is 65cm.
  • The distance between the floor and the underside of the highest dining table is 68cm.
  • No tables are permanently fixed.
  • Some chairs are permanently fixed.
  • Some chairs have armrests on both sides.
  • In this area there are long tables, sofas and bench seats.
  • The type of flooring in this area is carpet.
  • The lighting levels are low to moderate.
  • Lighting levels may be lower in the evening.
  • There are three entrances to the main tea room area.
    The entrance to the left of the box office is level, has level access and a width of 105cm.
    The entrance to the left of the bar has steep ramped access marked by tape and a width of 104cm.
    The entrance by the lift has a slight ramped approach marked by black and yellow hazard tape and has a width of 144cm.

You are on Theatre Seating Area(s) (The Music Hall). Skip to the next section.

Theatre Seating Area(s) (The Music Hall)

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• Access to Seating View
  • The information below describes access to the Music Hall.
  • The theatre area is located directly ahead down the corridor as you enter the venue.
  • There is ramped/sloped access to the theatre area.
  • The entrance area/door is clearly signed.
  • The entrance door(s) does/do contrast visually with its immediate surroundings.
  • The door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
  • The door(s) is/are double width.
  • The door(s) is/are heavy.
  • The width of the door opening is 120cm.
  • The doors is/are permanently held open before and after performances.
  • There is a member of staff available for assistance at the doors before and after performances.
  • The doors give access to all rows.
  • The gradient of the ramp/slope is slight.
  • The lighting level at the ramp/slope before and after performances is moderate to good.
  • The lighting level at the ramp/slope during performances is low to moderate.
  • The ramp/slope is clearly illuminated during performances.
• Theatre Area Information View
  • The information below describes access to the Music Hall.
  • The type of flooring in the seating area is carpet.
  • There is a mixture of seating with and without armrests.
  • The width of the rows of seating is 70cm.
  • The lighting level before and after performances is low to moderate.
  • The nearest accessible toilet is located to the right as you enter the Music Hall.
  • There is step free access to a row/rows of seating.
  • The row(s) with step free access is/are row(s) all rows.
  • The access to the majority of seating is located either side of the seats (against wall).
  • There is step-free access to the majority of seating.
• Designated Seating Area(s) View
  • There is not designated seating available in this area.
  • None of the seating within the hall is fixed so the venue are able to move tables and chairs to accommodate wheelchair users.

You are on Other Floors (Ground to First Floor). Skip to the next section.

Other Floors (Ground to First Floor)

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• Stairs View
  • Stairs can be used to access other floors.
  • The stairs are for public use.
  • The stairs are located to the right of the box office.
  • The stairs are approximately 5m from the entrance.
  • Signs indicating the location of the stairs are clearly visible from the entrance.
  • There are manual, single doors which may be difficult to open to enter the stairwell on the ground floor.
  • The floors which are accessible by stairs are G, 1.
  • There are 13 steps between floors.
  • The height of the step(s) is/are not between the recommended 15cm and 18cm.
  • The height of the step(s) is/are 20cm.
  • The depth of the step(s) is/are not between the recommended 30cm and 45cm.
  • The depth of the steps are 24cm.
  • The steps are not clearly marked.
  • There is a/are handrail(s) at the step(s).
  • The steps have a handrail on both sides.
  • 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 not extend horizontally beyond the first and last steps.
  • There is not a landing.
  • Clear signs indicating the facilities on each floor are not provided on landings.
  • The lighting levels at the steps are good.

You are on Other Floors (Ground to Second Floor). Skip to the next section.

Other Floors (Ground to Second Floor)

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• Stairs View
  • Stairs can be used to access other floors.
  • The stairs are for public use.
  • The stairs are located to the right of the lift.
  • The stairs are approximately 1m from the lift.
  • The floors which are accessible by stairs are G, 2.
  • There are 15+ steps between floors.
  • The height of the step(s) is/are between the recommended 15cm and 18cm.
  • The depth of the step(s) is/are not between the recommended 30cm and 45cm.
  • The depth of the steps are 27cm.
  • The steps are not clearly marked.
  • There is a/are handrail(s) at the step(s).
  • The steps have a handrail on both sides.
  • 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 not extend horizontally beyond the first and last steps.
  • There is a landing.
  • Clear signs indicating the facilities on each floor are not provided on landings.
  • The lighting levels at the steps are varied.

You are on Lift. Skip to the next section.

Lift

• There is a lift for public use.
• The lift is located directly ahead down the corridor as you enter the venue and on the left.
• Signs indicating the location of the lift are not available from the entrance.
• The lift is approximately 28m (30yd 1ft) from the entrance.
• The lift is a platform lift.
• A member of staff does not need to be notified for use of the lift.
• The floors which are accessible by this lift are G, 1, 2.
• Clear signs indicating the facilities on each floor are not provided on lift lobby landings.
• There is a clear level manoeuvring space of 150cm × 150cm in front of the lift.
• Lift doors do contrast visually with lift lobby walls.
• The external controls for the lift are within 90cm - 110cm from the floor.
• The colour contrast between the external lift controls and the control plate is fair.
• The colour contrast between the external lift control plate and the wall is fair.
• The clear door width is 96cm (3ft 2in).
• The dimensions of the lift are 140cm x 100cm (4ft 7in x 3ft 3in).
• There are not separate entry and exit doors in the lift.
• There is not a mirror to aid reversing out of the lift.
• There is not a list of floor services available within the lift.
• The lift does have a visual floor indicator.
• The lift does not have an audible announcer.
• The internal controls for the lift are within 90cm - 120cm from the floor.
• There is not a hearing loop system.
• The lift does have Braille markings.
• The lift does have tactile markings.
• The lighting levels in the lift are good.

You are on The History of Blue Town. Skip to the next section.

The History of Blue Town

• The first floor consists of a number of small room based displays along a central corridor depicting the history of Blue Town.
• On exiting the lift there is a dark mat which may be perceived as a hole.
• The corridor is carpeted and is 105cm wide at its narrowest point.
• There are a number of metal lips and steps at the thresholds to various exhibition rooms, but the majority are able to be viewed from the corridor.
• Door widths are 74cm, although no doors are present in the majority of cases.
• There is a community meeting room which has a door opening width of 71cm. The door opens away from you. There is a 3cm step at this entrance.
• Inside there are two desks with heights of 62cm and 65cm. All chairs have armrests.

You are on Maritime Museum. Skip to the next section.

Maritime Museum

• The Maritime Museum on the second floor consists of a number of exhibits in one large room with further displays in a smaller adjoining room.
• The floor in the main room is carpeted and is generally level apart from the route leading from the lift which has a steep gradient.
• There are a number of metal lips between rooms which may present a trip hazard.
• The smaller room has a door that is permanently held open to a width of 78cm. The surface of the floor wood and carpet.
• There is a 1cm high threshold between the two rooms.

You are on Accessible Toilet(s) (Right Hand Transfer). Skip to the next section.

Accessible Toilet(s) (Right Hand Transfer)

• There is an/are accessible toilet(s) available.

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• Location and Access View
  • This accessible toilet is located to the right of the café/bar.
  • This accessible toilet is approximately 30m (32yd 2ft) from the main entrance.
  • There is step-free access into the accessible toilet.
  • 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 fair.
  • The door opens inwards.
  • The door is easy to open.
  • The door is locked by a twist lock.
  • The width of the accessible toilet opening is 80cm (2ft 7in).
  • The contrast between the internal door and wall is poor.
  • The door does not have a horizontal grab rail.
• Toilet Features View
  • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 163cm x 135cm (5ft 4in x 4ft 5in).
  • The accessible toilet does not have an unobstructed minimum turning space of 150cm x 150cm.
  • The height of the light switch/pull cord is 146cm from floor level.
  • The lighting levels are good.
  • There is a lateral transfer space.
  • As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on the right.
  • The lateral transfer space is 84cm (2ft 9in).
  • There is a flush, however it is not on the transfer side (on top of the cistern).
  • 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 the left.
  • There is not a vertical wall-mounted grab rail on the transfer side.
  • There is not 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) and wall is poor.
  • The contrast between the walls and floor is fair.
  • There is not an emergency alarm.
  • There is not a red flashing fire alarm beacon within the toilet.
  • Disposal facilities are available in the toilet.
  • There is a/are general waste (with lid) disposal units.
  • There is not a/are not coat hook(s).
• Additional Fixtures View
  • There is a mirror.
  • The mirror is not placed at a lower level or at an angle for ease of use.
  • There is not a shelf within the accessible toilet.
  • The toilet has a cistern.
  • There is a lid attached to the toilet seat.
  • The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 43cm (1ft 5in).
  • The toilet seat colour contrast is poor.
  • 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 58cm (1ft 11in).
  • The contrast between the toilet roll holder and the wall is poor.
  • There is a wash basin.
  • The wash basin and tap(s) can be reached from seated on the toilet.
  • The wash basin is placed higher than 74cm (2ft 5in).
  • The height of the wash basin is 87cm (2ft 10in).
  • There are no vertical wall-mounted grab rails at the wash basin.
  • The wash basin tap type is lever mixer.
  • There is not a wall fixed soap dispenser.
  • There is a handheld soap dispenser available.
  • There is a towel dispenser.
  • The towel dispenser cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
  • The towel dispenser is placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
  • The height of the towel dispenser is 136cm (4ft 6in).
  • The contrast between the towel dispenser and the wall is fair.
  • There is not a hand dryer.
• Baby Changing Facilities View
  • Baby changing facilities are located within the accessible toilet.
  • There is a flip down baby change table available.
  • The height of the baby change table is 103cm.

You are on Standard Toilet(s). Skip to the next section.

Standard Toilet(s)

• Standard toilet facilities are available.

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• Toilet Facilities View
  • The female toilet is located to the left of the bar as you enter the venue.
  • There is step-free access into the toilet(s).
  • The standard toilet(s) is/are approximately 20m from the entrance.
  • The colour contrast between the external toilet door(s) and wall(s) is fair.
  • 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 86cm.
  • The wash basin(s) tap type is twist/turn.
  • Lighting levels are moderate to good.
• Toilet Facilities 2 View
  • The shared toilet is located on the second floor.
  • There is step-free access to the toilet(s), via lift.
  • The standard toilet(s) is/are approximately 15m from the lift.
  • The colour contrast between the external toilet door(s) and wall(s) is poor.
  • There is written text signage on or near the toilet door.
  • An ambulant toilet cubicle is not available.
  • The height of the wash basin(s) is 91cm.
  • The wash basin(s) tap type is lever mixer.
  • Lighting levels are moderate to good.