Access Guide
Location
- The venue is situated within the centre of the town or city.
- The venue is not situated on a road which has a steep gradient.
- The nearest mainline station is Charing Cross.
Opening Times
- Monday 09:00 - 20:00.
- Tuesday 09:00 - 20:00.
- Wednesday 09:00 - 20:00.
- Thursday 09:00 - 20:00.
- Friday 09:00 - 17:00.
- Saturday 09:00 - 17:00.
- Sunday Closed.
Parking
- The venue does not have its own car park.
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Public Car Parks
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- There is not a car park for public use within 200m (approx).
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On Street Blue Badge Parking
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- On street marked Blue Badge bays are available.
- The dimensions of the marked Blue Badge bays are 400cm x 560cm (13ft 1in x 18ft 4in).
- On street Blue Badge parking is located in Granville Street outside the main entrance.
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On Street Standard Parking
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- Clearly signed and / or standard marked parking bays are available.
- The dimensions of the standard marked parking bays are 260cm x 560cm (8ft 6in x 18ft 4in).
- Standard marked parking bays are located in Granville Street outside the main entrance.
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Drop-off Point
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- There is not a designated drop off point.
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Comments
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- The photograph shows the Blue Badge parking in Granville Street.
Outside Access (Main Entrance)
- This information is for the entrance located on Granville Street.
- There is not level access into the venue.
- The main doors open away from you (push).
- The doors are double width.
- The doors are permanently held open.
- The door opening is 165cm (5ft 5in) wide.
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Second set of doors
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- There is a second set of doors.
- The doors open automatically.
- The doors are double width.
- The door opening is 150cm (4ft 11in) wide.
Level Change (Main Entrance)
- There is a ramp or slope to access this service.
- The ramp or slope is located directly in front of the entrance.
- The ramp or slope is easy.
- The ramp or slope is permanent.
- The width of the ramp or slope is 165cm (5ft 5in).
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Comments
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- The 1st set of doors are always held open during opening hours.
Outside Access (Alternative Entrance)
- This information is for the entrance located on North Street.
- There is not level access into the venue.
- The main doors open both ways.
- The doors are double width.
- The doors are heavy.
- The door opening is 170cm (5ft 7in) wide.
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Second set of doors
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- There is a second set of doors.
- The doors open both ways.
- The doors are double width.
- The doors are heavy.
- The door opening is 164cm (5ft 5in) wide.
Level Change (Alternative Entrance)
- There are steps to access this area / service.
- There is / are 6 step(s) to the area / service.
- Lighting levels at the steps are bright.
- The steps are clearly marked.
- The steps are medium.
- The steps do have handrails.
- The handrails are on both sides.
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Comments
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- The steps are located immediately beyond the entrance.
- This entrance gives access to the Link Corridor on the 1st floor.
Reception (Information Desk)
- The reception desk is 5m (16ft 5in) from the main entrance.
- There is level access to reception from the entrance.
- Lighting levels are bright.
- There is not a hearing assistance system.
Inside Access
- There is level access to the service.
- There is a hearing assistance system.
- The system is a fixed loop.
- Staff are trained to use the system.
- This venue does not play background music.
- Lighting levels are bright.
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Comments
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- There are 5 medium, clearly marked, steps for access to the Simpson Conference Room on the ground floor.
- There is an easy slope (width 250cm) in the Link Corridor on the 1st floor.
- The hearing loop systems are situated in the Theatre, Learning Centre and the Conference Suites.
Reception (Library - Ground Floor)
- The reception desk is 40m (44yd) from the front entrance.
- There is level access to reception from the entrance.
- The reception desk is medium height.
- Lighting levels are bright.
- There is not a hearing assistance system.
Library
- This library does have a regular supply of books in Braille.
- This library does have a regular supply of books in large print.
- This library does have a regular supply of books on tape or disc.
- There is an ordering service.
Restaurant Bar Internal (The Herald Café)
- Once inside, there is level access to the service.
- Full table service is not available.
- Food or drinks are ordered from the service counter.
- Food or drinks cannot be brought to the table.
- No tables are permanently fixed.
- No chairs are permanently fixed.
- The distance between the floor and the lowest table is 75cm (2ft 6in).
- Menus are hand held only.
- Menus are available in Braille.
- Menus are not available in large print.
- Menus are clearly written.
- Menus are presented in contrasting colours.
- The type of food served here is traditional light meals and snacks.
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Comments
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- The Herald Café is situated on the ground floor.
- It is necessary to request table menus at the counter.
- There is an Internet Café facility adjacent to the Herald Café.
Theatre
- There are designated spaces for wheelchair users.
- Designated seating is located in the front of the auditorium.
- Wheelchairs are left with you.
- There is a hearing assistance system.
- The hearing assistance system is a fixed loop.
- Staff are trained to use the hearing assistance system.
- There is a wheelchair to borrow.
- To borrow a wheelchair, at reception.
- Assistance dogs are allowed in the auditorium.
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Comments
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- Theatre temporary closed.
Other Floors
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Steps
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- The floors which are accessible by stairs are G-5.
- There are 15+ steps between floors.
- The steps are clearly marked.
- The steps are medium.
- The steps do have handrails.
- The steps have a handrail on both sides.
- There is a landing.
- The lighting level is bright.
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Comments
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- The services on each floor are as follows:
- G - Theatre, Herald and Internet Cafes, Conference Suites and Lending Library
- 1 - Exhibition Rooms and Resource Unit for Visually Impaired
- 2 - Archives/Reference and Lending
- 3 - Learning Centre and Family History Records
- 4 - Science, Social Sciences and Quick Reference
- 5 - Arts, History, Literature and a Conference Suite.
Lift
- There is a lift for public use.
- The lift is located adjacent to the Herald Café and the Library.
- The lift is a standard lift.
- The floors which are accessible by this lift are G-5.
- The lift is 35m (38yd) from accessible entrance.
- Staff do not need to be notified for use of the lift.
- The dimensions of the lift are 110cm x 135cm (3ft 7in x 4ft 5in).
- There is not a mirror to aid reversing out of the lift.
- The lift does not have a visual floor indicator.
- The lift does not have an audible announcer.
- The lift controls do not have Braille markings.
- The lift controls do not have tactile markings.
- The lighting level in the lift is bright.
Accessible Toilet (Theatre)
- There are accessible toilet facilities within this venue.
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Location and Access
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- The toilet is for the sole use of disabled people.
- This accessible toilet is approximately 15m (16yd 1ft) from the accessible entrance.
- This accessible toilet is located adjacent to the auditorium.
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Features and Dimensions
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- This is a unisex toilet.
- A key is not required for the accessible toilet.
- The door opens outwards.
- The door is locked by a twist lock.
- The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 110cm x 170cm (3ft 7in x 5ft 7in).
- There is not a lateral transfer space.
- The tap type is lever.
- The emergency pull cord alarm is not fully functional.
- Disposal facilities are not available in the cubicle.
- There is not a/are not coat hook(s).
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Position of Fixtures
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- Wall-mounted grab rails are available.
- As you face the toilet the wall-mounted grab rails are on both sides.
- 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 48cm (1ft 7in).
- There is a hand dryer.
- The hand dryer is placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
- There is not a towel dispenser.
- There is a toilet roll holder.
- The toilet roll holder is not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
- There is a wash basin.
- The wash basin is not placed higher than 74cm (2ft 5in).
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Colour Contrast and Lighting
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- The contrast between the walls and floor is poor.
- The lighting levels are bright.
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Comments
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- Wall mounted and drop down rails are available.
Accessible Toilet
- There are accessible toilet facilities within this venue.
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Location and Access
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- The toilet is not for the sole use of disabled people.
- This accessible toilet is approximately 35m (38yd 10in) from the accessible entrance.
- This accessible toilet is located adjacent to the Herald Café and the Library.
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Features and Dimensions
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- This is a unisex toilet.
- A key is not required for the accessible toilet.
- The door opens outwards.
- The door is locked by a twist lock.
- The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 180cm x 180cm (5ft 11in x 5ft 11in).
- There is a lateral transfer space.
- The tap type is lever.
- The emergency pull cord alarm is fully functional.
- Disposal facilities are available in the cubicle.
- There is not a/are not coat hook(s).
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Position of Fixtures
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- 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 48cm (1ft 7in).
- There is a hand dryer.
- The hand dryer is not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
- There is a towel dispenser.
- There is a toilet roll holder.
- The toilet roll holder is not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
- There is a wash basin.
- The wash basin is not placed higher than 74cm (2ft 5in).
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Colour Contrast and Lighting
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- The contrast between the walls and floor is good.
- The lighting levels are bright.
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Comments
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- There are baby changing facilities in the accessible toilet.
- There is an additional accessible toilet situated adjacent to the standard female toilet.
- There is also an accessible toilet in the Link Corridor on the 1st floor.
- There are additional, level access, standard toilets on floors 2 to 5.
Standard Toilet(s)
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Availability and Location of Standard Toilets
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- Standard toilet facilities are available.
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Access to Standard Female Toilet(s)
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- The female toilet facilities that were surveyed are located in the reception foyer.
- The female toilet(s) is/are approximately 18m (19yd 2ft) from the accessible entrance.
- Inside the venue, there is level access to the female toilet(s).
- Lighting levels are bright.
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Access to Standard Male Toilet(s)
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- The male toilet facilities that were surveyed are located adjacent to the main entrance.
- The male toilet(s) is/are approximately 2m (2yd 7in) from the accessible entrance.
- Inside the venue, there is level access to the male toilet(s).
- Lighting levels are bright.
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Comments
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- There is an additional accessible toilet situated adjacent to the standard female toilet.
- There is also an accessible toilet in the Link Corridor on the 1st floor.
- There are additional, level access, standard toilets on floors 2 to 5.
Additional Info
- Staff do receive disability awareness / equality training.
- Documents can be requested in Braille.
- Documents can be requested in large print.
- A member of staff trained in BSL skills is not normally on duty.
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Comments
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- Accessible IT facilities are available in the Learning Centre.
- There are two wheelchairs available to borrow, please contact the information desk.