Access Guide
Introduction
- Services / facilities within the building include an aquarium, gift shop and picnic area.
-
Comments
View
- The venue has quiet hours throughout the year for autistic children and adults. Please ontact the venue for details.
Location
- There is a bus stop within 150m (164yds) of the venue.
- The nearest National Rail station is Blackpool North.
- There is not a tram stop within 150m (164yds) of the venue.
- The name of the nearest tram stop is Central Pier.
Opening Times & Admission Prices
Parking
- The venue does not have its own car park.
-
Public Car Parks
View
- There is a car park for public use within 200m (approx).
- The name of the car park is Bonny Street Car Park.
- The car park is located in Bonny Street.
-
On Street Blue Badge Parking
View
- On street marked Blue Badge bays are not available.
-
On Street Standard Parking
View
- Clearly signed and / or standard marked parking bays are not available.
-
Drop-off Point
View
- There is not a designated drop off point.
Outside Access (Main Entrance)
-
Entrance
View
- This information is for the entrance located at the front of the venue.
- There is step-free access at this entrance.
- The main door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
- The door(s) is/are double width.
- There is a small lip on the threshold of the entrance, with a height of 2cm or below.
- The width of the door opening is 160cm.
Reception
- The desk/counter is 4m (4yd 1ft) from the main entrance.
- There is level access to the desk/counter from the entrance.
- The desk/counter is medium height (77cm - 109cm).
- The desk/counter has a low (76cm or lower) section.
- The lighting levels are medium.
- There is not a hearing assistance system.
Other Floors (Ground Floor to First Floor)
-
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 low.
Other Floors (First Floor to Second Floor)
-
Steps
View
- The floors which are accessible by stairs are 1, 2.
- There are 15+ steps between floors.
- The steps are not clearly marked.
- The steps are deep (18cm+).
- The steps do have handrails.
- The steps have a handrail on both sides.
- There is a landing.
- The lighting levels are medium.
-
Other
View
- The area(s)/service(s) on the floors which are not accessible is/are shark snorkelling.
-
Comments
View
- Part of the staircase does not have handrails.
Lift
- There is a lift for public use.
- The lift is located ahead and to the left as you enter.
- The lift is a standard lift.
- The floors which are accessible by this lift are G, 1.
- Wall mounted information boards are provided at lift landings.
- The lift is approximately 9m (9yd 2ft) from the main entrance.
- Staff do not need to be notified for use of the lift.
- The clear door width is 80cm (2ft 7in).
- The dimensions of the lift are 130cm x 110cm (4ft 3in x 3ft 7in).
- There are separate entry and exit doors in the lift.
- There is not a mirror to aid reversing out of the lift.
- The lift does have a visual floor indicator.
- The lift does not have an audible announcer.
- The controls for the lift are within 90cm - 120cm from the floor.
- The lift does have Braille markings.
- The lift does have tactile markings.
- The lighting level in the lift is medium.
Inside Access
- There is not level access to the service(s).
- There is not a hearing assistance system.
- This venue does play background music.
- Music is played throughout the venue.
- Motorised scooters are welcomed in public parts of the venue.
- The lighting levels are varied.
-
Comments
View
- Some of the floors in the venue are uneven.
- There are slight and steep slopes without handrails throughout the venue.
The Aquarium
- The aquarium is located on the first floor.
- There are various tanks with a variety of sea life.
- There are 8 unmarked steps to access the small shark viewing area.
- These steps have a handrail on the left going up.
- They are the only means of viewing this tank.
- There is an option to snorkel with sharks in the second floor tank (photograph 7).
- The second floor can only be accessed by guests taking part in the snorkelling and when accompanied by a member of staff.
- Participants must be able to use a ladder without assistance to enter the tank.
- This ladder has 6 deep rungs (photograph 8).
Level Change (The Aquarium)
- There is a ramp/slope to access this area/service.
- The ramp/slope is located leading to various displays.
- The ramp/slope gradient is slight.
- The ramp/slope is permanent.
- There is not a level landing at the top of the ramp/slope.
- The ramp does have handrails.
- The handrails are on both sides.
- There is a/are step(s) to access this area/service.
- The step(s) is/are located leading to various displays.
- There is/are 9 step(s) to the area/service.
- The lighting levels at the step(s) are medium.
- 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.
- The ramp/slope does not bypass the step(s).
-
Comments
View
- Photograph 5 shows a second set of clearly marked medium steps without handrails.
- Both sets of steps can be avoided by taking a different route in the aquarium.
Picnic Area
- This area is located on the first floor at the rear of the aquarium.
- The tables are 68cm high and there are chairs without armrests available.
- There is a self-serve hot drinks machine (photograph 4).
- The highest function on this machine is 156cm.
- Cold drinks and snacks (crisps and sweets) can be purchased from the adjacent gift shop.
- There is a children's soft play zone in this area (photograph 5).
Gift Shop & Photograph Collection
- The gift shop is located on the first floor at the rear of the aquarium.
- The height of the gift counter is 97cm (photograph 1).
- The photograph counter is located to the left of the gift shop (photographs 4 and 5).
- The height of this counter is 102cm.
Hygiene Room
- The facility is located on the first floor, ahead and to the right as you exit the lift.
- The facility is approximately 50m (54yd 2ft) from the lift.
- There is level access to the facility.
- You do not need a key for the facility.
- The door opens outwards.
- The width of the door is 84cm.
- The dimensions of the facility are 290cm x 280cm (9ft 6in x 9ft 2in).
- The facility changing bench height is adjustable.
- The facility changing bench is free standing.
- The length of the facility changing bench is 190cm (6ft 3in).
- The type of wash basin is fixed.
- Wall mounted grab rails are not available at the wash basin.
- Disposal facilities are available.
- The facility has a non-slip floor.
- A functioning emergency alarm is not available.
- There is a wall mounted baby change unit within the room which is 90cm high.
Accessible Toilet (First Floor)
- Accessible toilet facilities are available.
-
Location and Access
View
- There is pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
- This accessible toilet is approximately 50m (54yd 2ft) from the lift.
- This accessible toilet is located on the first floor, ahead and to the right as you exit the lift.
- There is level access to this accessible toilet.
- This is by lift.
-
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 locking handle.
- The width of the accessible toilet door is 90cm (2ft 11in).
- The door is light.
- The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 168cm x 182cm (5ft 6in x 5ft 12in).
- 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 not 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 non-infectious waste and sanitary disposal units.
- There is not a/are not coat hook(s).
-
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 not placed at a lower level or at an angle for ease of use.
- The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 45cm (1ft 6in).
- 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).
- There is not a towel dispenser.
- 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 cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The wash basin is not placed higher than 74cm (2ft 5in).
-
Colour Contrast and Lighting
View
- The contrast between the external door and wall is good.
- There is a high 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 good.
- The lighting levels are medium.
Standard Toilet(s) (First Floor)
-
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 on the first floor, ahead and to the right as you exit the lift.
- The female and male toilets are approximately 50m (54yd 2ft) from the lift.
- Inside the venue, there is level access to the female and male toilets.
- Lighting levels are medium.
-
Baby Change Facilities
View
- Baby change facilities are located within the venue.
- Baby change facilities are located within the female and male standard toilets.
-
Comments
View
- The baby change is 77cm high in the female toilet and 89cm high in the male toilet.
- The baby change tables are on wheels.
Accessible Toilet (First Floor Within Shared Standard Toilets)
- Accessible toilet facilities are available.
-
Location and Access
View
- There is no signage on or near the toilet door.
- This accessible toilet is approximately 6m (6yd 1ft) from the lift.
- This accessible toilet is located on the first floor, ahead as you exit the lift within the shared standard toilets.
- 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 sliding bolt.
- The width of the accessible toilet door is 86cm (2ft 10in).
- The door is light.
- The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 140cm x 226cm (4ft 7in x 7ft 5in).
- 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 right.
- The lateral transfer space is 80cm (2ft 7in).
- There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
- There is a flush 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 and non-infectious waste disposal units.
- There is not a/are not coat hook(s).
-
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 not 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 not a hand dryer.
- There is not a towel dispenser.
- 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).
-
Colour Contrast and Lighting
View
- The contrast between the external door and wall is good.
- There is a high colour contrast between the internal door and wall.
- The contrast between the wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is good.
- There is a good colour contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall.
- The contrast between the walls and floor is good.
- The lighting levels are medium.
Standard Toilet(s) (First Floor Shared Standard Toilets)
-
Availability and Location of Standard Toilets
View
- Standard toilet facilities are available.
-
Access to Standard Shared Toilet(s)
View
- The shared toilets that were surveyed are located ahead as you exit the lift.
- The shared toilet(s) is/are approximately 4m (4yd 1ft) from the lift.
- Inside the venue, there is level access to the shared toilet(s).
- Lighting levels are medium.
-
Baby Change Facilities
View
- Baby change facilities are located within the venue.
- Baby change facilities are located within these toilets.
- The height of the baby change table once extended is 87cm (2ft 10in).
Standard Changing Room (First Floor)
- There is a/are standard changing room(s) available.
- The standard changing room(s) is/are approximately 25m (27yd 1ft) from the lift.
- The standard changing room(s) surveyed is/are located on the first floor, in the aquarium.
- 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.
- The shower cubicle(s) / area is / are accessed via 2 deep steps.
-
Comments
View
- There are 2 standard changing rooms for participants of the shark snorkelling.
Additional Info
- A bowl of water can be provided for an assistance dog.