Access Guide
Introduction
- The opening times vary according to bookings or performance taking place.
- The Grand Hall shares the Palace Theatre box office.
- Please see the separate Palace Theatre Detailed Access Guide for further information.
Location
- The venue is situated within the centre of the town.
- The venue is not situated on a road which has a steep gradient.
- There is a bus stop within 150m (164yds) of the venue.
- The nearest mainline station is Kilmarnock.
Opening Hours
Parking (Staff)
- The venue does have its own car park.
-
Venue Car Park
View
- Parking is not free for all users.
- Parking is free for Blue Badge holders.
- The car park type is open air/surface.
- Parking spaces for Blue Badge holders can booked in advance.
- There is/are 2 Blue Badge parking bay(s) within the car park.
- The dimensions of the Blue Badge parking bay(s) are 280cm x 470cm (9ft 2in x 15ft 5in).
- The nearest Blue Badge bay is 13m (14yd 8in) from the accessible entrance.
- The furthest Blue Badge bay is 15m (16yd 1ft) from the accessible entrance.
- The route from the car park to the entrance is accessible to a wheelchair user with assistance.
- Assistance may be required because there is/are uneven surfaces.
- The car park surface is tarmac.
-
Drop-off Point
View
- There is not a designated drop off point.
-
Comments
View
- The car park is for the use of staff and Blue Badge holders only.
Outside Access (Main Entrance)
- This information is for the entrance located at the front of the building.
- There is not level access into the venue.
- The main door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
- The door(s) is / are double.
- The door(s) is / are permanently held open.
- The width of the door opening is 244cm (8ft).
-
Second set of doors
View
- There is a second set of doors.
- The door(s) open(s) automatically.
- The door(s) is / are double.
- The width of the door opening is 160cm (5ft 3in).
Level Change (Main Entrance)
- There is a/are step(s) to access this area/service.
- The step(s) is/are located immediately beyond the entrance.
- There is/are 13 step(s) to the area/service.
- The lighting levels at the step(s) are good.
- The step(s) is/are clearly marked.
- The step(s) is/are medium height (11cm - 17cm).
- There is a/are handrail(s) at the step(s).
- The handrail(s) is/are on both sides.
Outside Access (Accessible Entrance)
- This information is for the entrance located at the rear of the building, in the staff car park.
- There is level access into the venue.
- The main door(s) open(s) by sliding.
- The door(s) is / are double.
- The door(s) is / are heavy.
- The width of the door opening is 240cm (7ft 10in).
-
Second set of doors
View
- There is a second set of doors.
- The door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
- The door(s) is / are double.
- The door(s) is / are heavy.
- The width of the door opening is 230cm (7ft 7in).
-
Comments
View
- It is necessary for these doors to be opened from the inside.
Lift
- There is not a lift for public use.
- The lift is a standard lift.
- The floors which are accessible by this lift are -1-G-1.
- Wall mounted information boards are provided at lift landings.
- There are manual, single doors which may be difficult to open to access the lift lobby on all floors.
- The lift is approximately 0m () from the lift entrance.
- Staff do not need to be notified for use of the lift.
- The clear door width is 90cm (2ft 11in).
- The dimensions of the lift are 130cm x 150cm (4ft 3in x 4ft 11in).
- There are not separate entry and exit doors in the lift.
- There is a mirror to aid reversing out of the lift.
- The lift does have a visual floor indicator.
- The lift does have an audible announcer.
- The controls for the lift are within 90cm - 120cm from the floor.
- The lift does not have Braille markings.
- The lift does have tactile markings.
- The lighting level in the lift is good.
Level Change (Lift)
- There is a ramp/slope to access this area/service.
- The ramp/slope is located leading along the lift corridor.
- The ramp/slope gradient is slight.
- The ramp/slope is permanent.
- There is a level landing at the top of the ramp/slope.
- The ramp does have handrails.
- The handrails are on both sides.
-
Comments
View
- There is a similar slope on the first floor, as shown in photographs 3 and 4.
Inside Access
- There is level access to the service(s).
- There is a hearing assistance system.
- The system is a fixed loop.
- Staff are trained to use the system.
- The hearing assistance system was not tested at the time of the survey.
- This venue does not play background music.
- Motorised scooters are welcomed in public parts of the venue.
- The lighting levels are good.
Reception
- The desk/counter is 60m (65yd 1ft) from the accessible entrance.
- There is level access to the desk/counter from the entrance.
- The desk/counter is high (110cm+).
- The desk/counter has a low (76cm or lower) section.
- The lighting levels are good.
- There is not a hearing assistance system.
Theatre
- There are designated spaces for wheelchair users.
- Designated seating is located in the stalls at the ends of all rows.
- Wheelchairs are left with you.
- A companion may sit with you.
- It is 10m (10yd 2ft) from the designated seating area to the nearest accessible toilet.
- There is a hearing assistance system.
- The hearing assistance system is a fixed loop.
- Staff are trained to use the hearing assistance system.
- A deposit is not required for the hearing assistance system.
- The hearing assistance system was not tested at the time of the survey.
- There is not a wheelchair to borrow.
- Concessions are available.
- Assistance dogs are allowed in the auditorium.
-
Comments
View
- There are 5 steps with handrails on both sides from the third step to access the first floor balcony, as shown in photographs 3 and 4.
- The rear balcony seating has no further steps once up to that level, with further steps without handrails down to front balcony seating, as shown in photographs 5 to 12.
- It is not possible to transfer to a seat from a wheelchair.
Level Change (Stage)
- There is a/are step(s) to access this area/service.
- The step(s) is/are located to the rear side of the stage.
- There is/are 8 step(s) to the area/service.
- The lighting levels at the step(s) are varied.
- The step(s) is/are clearly marked.
- The step(s) is/are medium height (11cm - 17cm).
- There is a/are handrail(s) at the step(s).
- The handrail(s) is/are on the right going up the step(s).
-
Comments
View
- There are similar steps at the opposite side of the stage which offer a handrail on the left going up, as shown in photographs 5 to 8.
Other Floors
-
Steps
View
- The floors which are accessible by stairs are G-1.
- There are 15+ steps between floors.
- 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.
- The lighting levels are moderate to good.
-
Other
View
- The area(s)/service(s) on the floors which are not accessible is/are art rooms and the balcony.
Accessible Changing Room (Backstage)
- There are accessible changing rooms available.
- The facility is 60m (65yd 1ft) from the accessible entrance.
- The door opens outwards.
- The width of the door is 86cm (2ft 10in).
- The door is locked by a lever twist.
- The dimensions of the accessible changing room are 220cm x 220cm (7ft 3in x 7ft 3in).
- The toilet does have an unobstructed minimum turning space of 150cm x 150cm.
- There is a lateral transfer space.
- As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on the right.
- The lateral transfer space is 170cm (5ft 7in).
- There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
- There is a flush on the transfer side.
- Wall mounted rails are available.
- The toilet seat is 46cm (1ft 6in) above floor level.
- There is a sink.
- The sink can be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The height of the sink is 72cm (2ft 4in).
- The tap type is lever.
- There is a mixer tap.
- There is an emergency alarm in the cubicle.
- The alarm did not sound when tested.
- There is not a locker within the accessible changing room.
- There is not a changing bench.
- There is a wheel in shower.
- The facilities available in the accessible shower are an adjustable shower head, handrails and a flip-down seat.
- The height of the seat is 49cm (1ft 7in).
Standard Changing Room (Backstage)
- There is a/are standard changing room(s) available.
- The standard changing room(s) is/are approximately 60m (65yd 1ft) from the accessible entrance.
- The standard changing room(s) surveyed is/are located to the rear right of the building, beyond the main hall.
- There is level access to the standard changing room(s).
- Shower facilities are available within the changing room(s).
- There is not level access to the shower facilities.
-
Comments
View
- There is 1 deep step into the shower.
Accessible Toilet
- Accessible toilet facilities are available.
-
Location and Access
View
- There is pictorial and written text signage on or near the toilet door.
- This accessible toilet is approximately 35m (38yd 10in) from the accessible entrance.
- This accessible toilet is located in a corridor next to the Grand Hall.
- There is level access to this accessible toilet.
-
Features and Dimensions
View
- This is a shared toilet.
- A key is not required for the accessible toilet.
- The door opens outwards.
- The door is locked by a twist lock.
- The width of the accessible toilet door is 92cm (3ft).
- The door may be difficult to open.
- The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 160cm x 190cm (5ft 3in x 6ft 3in).
- There is not sufficient turning space in the cubicle for a wheelchair user.
- There is a lateral transfer space.
- As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on the left.
- The lateral transfer space is 100cm (3ft 3in).
- There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
- There is a flush, however it is not on the transfer side.
- The tap type is lever.
- There is a mixer tap.
- There is an emergency alarm.
- The emergency pull cord alarm is not fully functional.
- The alarm was out of reach (higher than 10cm (4") from floor) when surveyed.
- Disposal facilities are available in the cubicle.
- There is a/are sanitary, non-infectious waste and open waste paper bin disposal units.
- There is a/are coat hook(s).
- The height of the coat hook is 120cm from the floor.
-
Position of Fixtures
View
- Wall mounted grab rails are available for the toilet.
- As you face the toilet the wall-mounted grab rails are on both sides.
- There is not a shelf within the accessible toilet.
- There is a mirror.
- Mirrors are placed at a lower level or at an angle for ease of use.
- The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 43cm (1ft 5in).
- There is not a hand dryer.
- 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 112cm (3ft 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 not a wash basin.
-
Colour Contrast and Lighting
View
- The contrast between the external door and wall is fair.
- There is a low colour contrast between the internal door and wall.
- The contrast between the wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is fair.
- There is a fair colour contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall.
- The contrast between the walls and floor is poor.
- The lighting levels are good.
-
Comments
View
- Baby change facilities are located within the venue.
- The baby change facilities are located in the accessible toilet.
- The height of the baby change table once extended is 118cm (3ft 10in).
- Inside the venue, there is level access to the baby change facility.
Accessible Toilet(s) (First Floor)
-
Location and Access
View
- This accessible toilet is located to the left from the lift on the first floor, near Art Hall 1.
- This accessible toilet is approximately 30m (32yd 2ft) from the lift.
- There is step-free access to the accessible toilet, via lift.
-
Features and Dimensions
View
- 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 door opens outwards.
- The door is light.
- The door is locked by a lever twist.
- The width of the accessible toilet door is 84cm.
- The door has a horizontal grab rail.
- The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 158cm x 296cm (5ft 2in x 9ft 9in).
- 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 95cm (3ft 1in).
- 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 alarm did not sound when tested.
- There is 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 a/are coat hook(s).
- There are coat hooks in the toilet at 107cm and 140cm from the floor.
-
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 backrest.
- The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 47cm (1ft 7in).
- 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 92cm (3ft).
- 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).
- The height of the wash basin is 72cm (2ft 4in).
- 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.
- Taps have clear markings to indicate hot and cold settings.
- There is a soap dispenser.
- The soap dispenser cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The height of the soap dispenser is 104cm.
- 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 not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
- The height of the hand dryer is 100cm (3ft 3in).
-
Colour Contrast and Lighting
View
- There is a high colour contrast between the external door and wall.
- There is a high colour contrast between the internal door and wall.
- There is a high colour contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall.
- There is a high colour contrast between the wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall.
- There is a high colour contrast between the walls and floor.
- The lighting levels are good.
Standard Toilet(s)
-
Availability and Location of Standard Toilets
View
- 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 a corridor next to the Grand Hall.
- The female and male toilets are approximately 30m (32yd 2ft) from the accessible entrance.
- Inside the venue, there is level access to the female and male toilets.
- Lighting levels in the female and male toilets are moderate to good.
-
Comments
View
- The photograph shows the standard male toilet.
Additional Info
- Documents are not available in Braille.
- Documents are not available in large print.
- A bowl of water can be provided for an assistance dog.
- A member of staff trained in BSL skills is not normally on duty.