by Christian Drewitt | Cheltenham, Leisure, Park
Hatherley Park
*Social distancing guidelines were stringently followed during this audit*
Accessibility Rating
Physical
Four out of five
Location: Hatherley Park
Bournside Road
Cheltenham
GL51 3AL
Parking and entrance
The park is around 3 hectares in size and is surrounded by houses, making it quite hidden and a lovely surprise when entering. There is roadside parking near Hatherley Park, there aren’t any accessible bays however parking is free. The street parking is available on Hatherley Court Road, which is the northern entrance and also on Bournside Road for the southern entrance.
There are 2 discreet entrances to Hatherley Park, noticeable by the green railings. These are step free, wide and easily accessible, leaving plenty of room for a wheelchair user to pass by people safely. The pathways are also of good quality.
Access around Hatherley Park
Hatherley Park has got good access with good quality pathways. It can be hilly in places but not for a long amount of time and there are plenty of rest spots.
IMAGE Wide pathway with gradual hill
IMAGE Slightly uneven pathway
IMAGE Pathway to pond and seating area
A main feature of the park is the lake which has benches around it and is very picturesque. This is a great place to relax and watch the wildlife. The signage near the lake is quite small and would be difficult to read for someone with a visual impairment. There is also a small pond with a seating area nearby. There isn’t much space next to the benches for a wheelchair user to sit without obstructing pathways however there is plenty of space in front of the benches.
IMAGE Signage near pond with small font
IMAGE Seating area near pond
There is a small food and drink trailer called the Butterfly Box which is open every day. This has a very high counter and may be difficult for a wheelchair user to communicate with the staff comfortably. There are 2 picnic benches near the café. There are no toilets within Hatherley Park.
There are 2 play areas in the park, one is gated for younger children and there is another one nearby for older children. There isn’t any accessible equipment here.
by Christian Drewitt | Cheltenham, Leisure, Park
Montpellier Gardens
*Social distancing guidelines were stringently followed during this audit*
Accessibility Rating
Physical
Four and a half out of five
Location: Montpellier Gardens
Montpellier Spa Road
Cheltenham
GL50 1UL
Parking and entrance
There isn’t a car park for Montpellier Gardens, however there is roadside parking all around it. There are no accessible bays on the immediate roads next to the Gardens, however there are accessible bays outside The Ivy nearby.
There is step free access all around the gardens.
IMAGE Entrance at Montpellier Spa road
IMAGE Entrance on Montpellier Spa road
Access around Montpellier Gardens
Access around Montpellier Gardens is generally very good. The pathways are wide, in good condition and can be easily distinguished from the grass. There are benches all around the Gardens with space on either side so a wheelchair user can sit next to somebody on the bench.
There are multiple tennis courts in the gardens. These have stepped entry from the front but there is step free entry via a double gate on the side. This gate was locked during our visit.
Near here is a children’s play area, there is no accessible play equipment here.
IMAGE Stepped entrance to tennis courts
IMAGE Step free access to tennis courts
In front of the tennis courts is the Gardens Gallery. This also has stepped entry from the front however there is a useful map on the right-hand side of the building that guides wheelchair users to the accessible entrance and alarm bell to request assistance. This is at the back of the building which can be accessed by a ramp on the right, this is a short distance away.
Near here is the gardens café. This has a slight step for entry. It may be possible for a wheelchair user to enter the gardens as the step is slightly lowered, however the step at the exit would be too high. Due to COVID-19 there is currently a one-way system in place meaning it wouldn’t be possible for a wheelchair user to use the café safely.
IMAGE Map to accessible entrance to Gallery
IMAGE Accessible entrance to Gallery
IMAGE Alarm bell for Gardens Gallery
IMAGE Step at exit of cafe
Accessible Toilet
Step free access to the accessible toilet requires leaving the gardens for a moment and entering back in through a different entrance. There is a large accessible toilet that requires a RADAR key for entry. This toilet has turning space and plenty of room for a wheelchair user and assistant.
The toilet is in the middle of the wall, meaning there is a large transfer space on either side and the sink would not be reachable from a seated position on the toilet. This means the sink cannot be reached from the toilet. There or two drop down rails on either side of the toilet and handrails fixed on the wall at the back of the toilet. The toilet is at the correct height from the ground at 48cm, allowing for easy transfer for a wheelchair user.
All the amenities are at a lowered height and there is a sanitary bin next to the toilet, however there is no mirror.
IMAGE Door in disabled toiler
by Christian Drewitt | Cheltenham, Leisure, Park
Imperial Gardens
*Social distancing guidelines were stringently followed during this audit*
Accessibility Rating
Physical
Three and a half out of five
Location: Imperial Gardens
Imperial Square
Cheltenham
GL50 1
Parking and entrance
There is roadside parking all around Imperial Square and there are 2 accessible bays. The accessible bays are smaller than the recommended size and the closest dropped kerb is on the corner.
Access around Imperial Gardens
The Gardens are kept in pristine condition and are full of beautiful flowers, it’s an ideal place for a picnic on a summers day.
Overall access around Imperial Gardens is very good. The pathways are clear and smooth and wide enough for people to pass each other at a safe distance. There are times when a wheelchair user will need to take a less direct route in order to avoid steps or the grass, however there is nowhere that is inaccessible for a wheelchair user. The grass is smooth meaning it would not be too difficult for a wheelchair user to wheel onto the grassed areas.
There are benches located all around the outskirts of the gardens. Some of these have plants on either side meaning a wheelchair user will be unable to sit next to somebody on a bench.
The information boards and signage around the gardens are in a small font and may be difficult for somebody with a visual impairment to read.
IMAGE Bench with foliage surrounding
IMAGE Wide level pathways
Garden Bar
The garden bar has a hand sanitising unit at the entrance and a ramp leading up to the bar. There is no lowered bar area.
The original garden bar seating area has steps to gain access from the bar so would be inaccessible for a wheelchair. There is also a marquee next to the bar with a seating area inside, this has step free access.
IMAGE Wide pathway and marquee
IMAGE Hand sanitising unit
IMAGE Gate to seating area
Accessible toilet
There is an accessible toilet at the end of the building behind the bar. There is step free access to this by following the path around the marquee. There is also stepped access from the far end of the bar. This requires a RADAR key for entry.
There is no handle on the front of the door which means it would be difficult for somebody with limited dexterity or a wheelchair user to open. The toilet measures 1330mm x 1660mm, this is below the standard and is quite small. It would be quite difficult for a wheelchair user and a carer fit in here.
There is a small transfer space on the right of the toilet and all the amenities are lowered apart from the coat hook. There are well placed grabrails and a drop-down rail. There is no emergency pull cord in the toilet.
IMAGE Steps to disabled toilet from bar
by Christian Drewitt | Cheltenham, Leisure, Park
Pittville Park
*Social distancing guidelines were stringently followed during this audit*
Accessibility Rating
Physical
Four out of five
Location: Pittville Park
Evesham Road
Cheltenham
GL52 2AP
Parking and entrance
There is roadside parking all around Pittville Park that is free for blue badge holders. There is also a car park at Pittville Pump Rooms with 150 spaces and 6 accessible bays. There are step free entrances all around the park. You can gain access directly from the street in some areas.
Access around Pittville Park
The pathways around the park are mainly concrete and in good condition, they are easy to distinguish from the grass and are a good width for people to pass each other at a safe distance. The east side pathway is the only pathway that isn’t of great quality, it is very uneven and uncomfortable for a wheelchair user. There are low hanging trees on the east side of the park that may cause an obstruction or difficulty for the visually impaired.
The grass is relatively even throughout Pittville, meaning a wheelchair user or person with limited mobility will be able to venture onto the grass without much struggle. There are also plenty of benches around meaning nobody needs to travel very far to reach a rest point. The park is also full of trees which provide plenty of shade and there are bins all over the park.
There is a large duck pond in the centre of the park which makes for beautiful scenery. Around this pond there is a pathway, the pathway doesn’t go the full way around the pond and there are steps at on section of it.
There is a small kiosk serving ice creams and snacks at the east end of the park. This has a ramp leading up to it for wheelchair users. There are also round picnic benches here with part of the seating removed, this means a wheelchair user can also sit comfortably at the bench.
There is a very large play area at Pittville which is great for children. We did not enter the play area during our visit as it was very busy and would have been difficult to maintain social distancing. There is a level roundabout in the play area which is great for wheelchair users.
General access around the entire of Pittville Park is seamless and enjoyable.
IMAGE Steps to pond side pathway
IMAGE Low hanging trees over path
Accessible toilet
There is an accessible toilet near the play area that is free to use and does not require a RADAR key. The doorway is a suitable width and there is a large lock and handle on the door making it easier for people with limited dexterity. There is also a grab rail on the door for ease of opening and closing. The toilet is a good size with plenty of turning space and all the amenities are at a lowered height. The toilet seat and grab rails are a contrasting colour to the walls to aid the visually impaired.
The lighting in the toilet is quite dim and there is no emergency pull cord. The floor is non slip and there is a baby change unit on the left.
Changing Places toilet
Near the play area there is a large Changing Places toilet which requires a RADAR key for entry. This toilet was very clean during our visit. The lighting is quite dim and may be difficult for someone with a visual impairment to adjust to when entering from outside. The Changing Places toilet comprises of an electric hoist, toilet, shower with large controls, grab rails in a contrasting colour to the walls, mobile room divider and height adjustable fold up bench.
There is also an emergency pull cord near the bench and toilet however there are no ring pulls on the one near the bench. There are 2 coat hangers near the door and different heights making them suitable for a wide range of people.
IMAGE Entrance to Changing Places
IMAGE Toilet in Changing Places
IMAGE Coat hooks in Changing Places
IMAGE Hoist in Changing Places
by Christian Drewitt | Accessible Parking, Cheltenham, Leisure, Quick Picks, Recommended Venues
Leisure at Cheltenham | 19th September 2019
Accessibility Rating
Physical
Four out of five
Sensory
Five out of five
Location: Leisure at Cheltenham
Tommy Taylors Lane
Cheltenham
GL50 4RN
Parking
There are 6 accessible parking bays at Leisure at Cheltenham which are in their own section at the entrance to the building. The ground is smooth and there is a dropped kerb which makes access to the building very easy
Entrance and Reception
There are 2 sets of automatic double doors on either side of the front of the building which stay open for a suitable amount of time for a wheelchair user or person of limited mobility to pass through comfortably. The entrance is open plan and the whole reception desk is at a suitable height for a wheelchair user or person of smaller stature, but there is a lowered reception section on the right, too.
There is an automatic sign in screen to the left as you enter. This is quite high and may be uncomfortable for a wheelchair user or person of smaller stature to use comfortably
To the left of reception are 4 sets of access gates which only open when an individual scans their membership card. These gates are glass with subtle circular patterns on them. These may be difficult to distinguish for people with a visual impairment or people suffering with dementia. These gates don’t stay open for very long and may cause a wheelchair user or person with limited mobility difficulty getting through in time. The people at reception are happy to help though, and can keep them open from controls at their desk.
IMAGE Double automatic doors at entrance
Wayfinding
Due to the age of the building and the numerous additions that have been added on throughout the years it has quite a complex layout and is based mainly on the ground floor. This may be quite confusing to navigate however there is clear signage at the entrance. There is also signage throughout the building which is in the process of being changed. The new signage is very large but is written vertically which may be confusing for somebody with a visual impairment or dementia.
IMAGE Main signage at entrance
Accessible toilet near gym
On the first right down the corridor to the gym are the changing rooms and 2 accessible toilets.
The doorway to the toilets are 900mm wide which is the correct size, however the accessible toilets are smaller than minimum requirements at 1380mm x 1880mm which may mean it is difficult for a wheelchair user and an assistant to fit comfortably.
The emergency pull cord is to the left and slightly behind when at a seated position. There is a bin which obstructs the pull cord hanging freely and may make the bottom ring pull difficult to reach. The toilet is 48cm from the ground which is the correct height for an accessible toilet. The flush is a push button which may be difficult for people with limited dexterity to use.
There is a disposable and sanitary bin in the toilet and all of the amenities are at the correct height for a wheelchair user. The grab rails are a contrasting colour to the walls to aid the visually impaired and the floor is non-slip.
IMAGE Accessible toilet near gym
Gym changing rooms
The gym changing rooms may be quite hard to navigate due to the way they are laid out. There a numerous directions one can take but at the furthest point is the accessible changing room.
The accessible changing room is fitted with a door that opens outwards and has a horizontal grab rail on the inside. There is also a wall-mounted tip up seat provided and an emergency pull cord which is reachable from this seat, however there is only one ring pull instead of two. The grab rails in the accessible changing room are a contrasting colour to the walls to aid the visually impaired. There isn’t a bench in the changing room.
Accessible shower in gym changing rooms
The accessible shower in the gym changing rooms has a wall mounted tip up seat with a backrest. There is a drop-down grab rail to the right of the seat and a horizontal grab rail under the shower head. There is also a drop-down grab rail to the right of the shower. The seat and grab rails are a contrasting colour to the walls to aid the visually impaired.
The floor is non-slip and there is an emergency pull cord to the right of the seat from a seated position. This is easily reachable, however there is only on ring pull at the around 100cm from the ground.
IMAGE Accessible shower in gym changing rooms
Gym
The gym is a large space with coloured lighting and music in the background. This can be quite loud in places. The employees in the gym are knowledgeable about accessibility needs and informed us that they always ensure that there is enough space between gym equipment for a wheelchair user to get around with ease.
The gym offers numerous accessible equipment. These include an arm bike, a treadmill and bike both with raised buttons for the visually impaired and an inclusive cable machine. These offer a variety of different types of work outs for a range of disabilities. There are 4 or 5 wheelchair users who currently attend this gym and make use of these brilliant facilities.
There is also a supervised gym session every Wednesday which is ideal for individuals with disabilities who wish to learn how to use the equipment and gain confidence.
IMAGE Treadmill with raised buttons for visually impaired
IMAGE Raised buttons on treadmill
Sports hall
Opposite the corridor to the gym changing rooms is the entrance to the sports hall. Access to this is gained via double pull manual doors. These are quite heavy and don’t stay open as they are fire doors, meaning it would be very difficult for a wheelchair user to pass through them without assistance. The corridor to the sports hall has enough turning space for a wheelchair and the sports hall is large and well lit with contrasting walls and floors.
Viewing Area
On the first floor there is a viewing area for the sports hall. This can be accessed via stairs or a lift near the café. There is a large space in the viewing area that can be occupied by wheelchairs.
IMAGE Viewing gallery for sports hall
Café
The café is an open plan space with round tables and easily moveable chairs. A wheelchair user can comfortably sit at the tables and there is a counter with staff always behind to offer any assistance.
Accessible shower in swimming pool changing rooms
Through the access gates near the entrance are the swimming pool changing rooms.
The lockers require a padlock up to 8mm and you can bring your own with you, alternatively you can purchase a padlock at reception for £4.
The shower has a wall mounted tip up seat and an adjustable shower head. There are two drop down grab-rails and one horizontal grab-rail under the shower. The grab-rails are a contrasting colour to the walls to aid the visually impaired. The floor is non-slip and there is an emergency pull cord with two pull rings on it. The pull cord is quite far away from the wall mounted seat and may be difficult to reach.
IMAGE Accessible shower in swimming pool changing rooms
Changing Places Facility
There is changing places facility located in the swimming pool changing rooms. This is very large and has a ceiling hoist, a toilet, a variable height changing sink and a variable height changing bench. The emergency pull cord is flush with the wall which may make it difficult to reach.
IMAGE Adustable bed in changing places facility
IMAGE Adjustable sink and hoist in changing places facility
IMAGE Toilet in changing places facility
IMAGE Accessible toilet in swimming pool changing rooms
Swimming Pool
There is a main pool, a teaching pool, a children’s pool and a diving pool.
The main pool is 33m x 12.8m and can have up to six single lanes and the teaching pool is 23.8m x 9.65m.
There is both a manual and electric hoist to enter the pools for those with limited mobility so somebody can decide which type of hoist they would prefer to use.
There is a session for people with disabilities every Saturday at 11am in the teaching pool.
First Floor Accessible Toilet
The corridor to standard toilets upstairs is very dark, the signage is confusing and gives the impression the disabled toilet is through this corridor. The accessible toilet is to the left as you exit the lift.
The doorway to the toilet is 900mm wide which is the correct width, however it is quite a sharp turn to enter the toilet. The toilet is 1870mm x 2300mm which exceeds minimum requirements and leaves plenty of room for a wheelchair user and assistant, and turning space for a wheelchair. There is an emergency pull cord to the right when seated on the toilet, however an individual will have to lean backwards to be able to reach it from the toilet which may cause instability, especially for somebody with limited mobility.
All of the amenities are at a lowered height, suitable for a wheelchair user or person of smaller stature and there is a lowered coat hook on the wall. The toilet seat is 43cm from the ground which is too low for an accessible toilet.
IMAGE Signage to first floor toilets
IMAGE Upstairs accessible toilet
Evacuation Procedure
There is an evacuation meeting point at the front centre car park. Evacuation is carried out in 2 phases meaning the sound of the fire alarm does not mean there needs to be an immediate evacuation. Should there need to be an immediate evacuation then staff will inform visitors and assist anyone who needs extra help. There are visual fire alarms for the visually impaired and a refuge point at the upstairs viewing gallery for the sports hall.
Membership and extras
There is a concessionary rate available for individuals who are registered disabled.
Leisure at Cheltenham host the Special Olympics which displays their passion for inclusivity and knowledge of accessibility. Leisure at Cheltenham are also exploring the options of a sensory space for individuals with sensory issues.
by Christian Drewitt | Cheltenham, Restaurants
The Sober Parrot | 19th September 2018
Location: 7 St James Square
Cheltenham
Gloucestershire GL50 3PR
Date of visit: 19th September 2018
Parking
Saint James’ Square public car park is a few minutes walk away from the venue. There are 3 disabled bays and there is no charge for blue badge holders.
Accessibility
The front entrance leading into the venue has two steps, making it inaccessible for a wheelchair user. There is a bell at the front door to ring if you are unable to use the steps, this will get the attention of the staff who will assist you around a side entrance that is not generally for public use. There is a narrow corridor when using this entrance which would be unsuitable for large wheelchairs or mobility scooters. The manager, Jo is eager to make the venue as accessible as possible and is going to investigate purchasing a temporary ramp to be used at the front entrance. The front door is nice and wide and would be suitable for larger chairs or scooters.
Image – coridoor to accessible entrance at rear
Image – Upstairs seating area
Accessibility
There are two levels to the venue, the ground level is completely accessible, the walk way is wide enough for a wheelchair to get through and there are plenty of accessible tables. Depending on your wheelchair size you may need to fold your footplates due to the tables being pedestal tables.
The menus are nice and light, the text is quite small making it difficult to read if you have a visual impairment, the menu is simple and easy to read otherwise. There is a lowered bar/counter which would be easy for a wheelchair user to get underneath, so you can order your own drinks at the bar and pay.
Image – cosy quiet corner
Image – menus at lowered height
Image – Inaccessible stairs to 1st floor
There is a second floor which is used for music events, it is a small building and there is no lift access. It is nice and quiet up here during the day, suitable for somebody sensitive to noise.
The lighting through the building was overhead and dimmed with plenty of natural daylight coming in through lots of windows.
Toilets
There is a disabled toilet located at the back of the building, the toilet is designed for a right-hand transfer and has appropriate hand rails to do so. The other facilities including sink, soap dispenser and hand dryer are all at a lowered height and within reach. The toilets are nice and clean and big enough for a smaller wheelchair to turn around in.
Image – inside accessible toilet
Image – inside accessible toilet 2
Customer Service
The manager Jo was very friendly and took the time to sit and chat with me about my work and had some questions on how they could make themselves more accessible. The waitress was also very polite, and all staff were well dressed an approachable.
Accessibility Rating
Physical
Four out of five
Sensory
Four out of five
by Christian Drewitt | Cheltenham, Hotels
Hotel du Vin | 27th July 2018
Image – disabled bay out front of hotel
Image – platform lift outside hotel
Location: Parabola Rd, Cheltenham GL50 3AH
Date of visit: 27th July 2018
Parking
There is one accessible parking bay located outside the front of the building, the car park is quite small and turning space for the vehicle is tight. The accessible bay is directly opposite the main entrance.
There is also a rear car park with one accessible parking bay, this leads to the garden and to the Bistro. There is a small step leading into the Bistro, a manual wheelchair would be able to use this entrance however, it would not be suitable for an electric wheelchair. Management have advised they will look to purchase a temporary ramp for the step which will make it fully accessible. (this can be accessed from the front of the building and via lift)
Accessibility
The main entrance is up a small flight of steps, there is a platform lift for a wheelchair. This was very easy to use for a wheelchair user by themselves. Once you exit the lift the entrance is directly to your right. The reception point is a low desk, accessible for a wheelchair user. The reception desk is open 24 hours a day with two reception staff, so a member of staff can assist somebody to their room if required. There are phones to call reception in the rooms too if you require assistance.
When checking into the room, there is a questionnaire you can complete is you require assistance in the case of emergency, this gives you the opportunity to detail your exact requirements, so staff know how to assist you best. There are evac chairs on the first floor.
There is dimmed lighting throughout the whole hotel and bistro.
Image – Christian in wheelchair using platform lift independently
Image – reception with low desks
Image – bathtub in hotel room
Image – large double bed at lowered height
Image – accessible bathroom in hotel room with two fixed handrails
Image – wet room and hand rail in hotel bedroom
Image – large double bed at lowered height
Image – hotel room, bed and other furnishings, window letting in light
Rooms
There are 3 accessible bedrooms with large bathrooms/wet rooms, these rooms are accessible via the lift. All other guest rooms are up some steps so inaccessible if you have a walker or wheelchair. The rooms are very spacious, and the beds are lowered for easy transfer. There is a bathtub in the bedroom but no hoist. The bathroom was very big and easy for a wheelchair to move around in. There is one handrail for the shower but no seat, there is a stool available at reception for use in the shower. This may not be suitable for all disabled guests. The toilet has two fixed handrails, the hand rail is a little high. There is no emergency cord in the room.
Bar and Bistro
The bar is located to the left of the reception on the ground floor, the bar is quite high but there is table service. There is quiet music in the background and there are plenty of quieter corners. The Bistro is down a level, this is accessible via the lift. There are plenty of accessible tables in the bar and bistro. The menus are light but the writing is small, they don’t offer a larger print menu for people with visual impairments, they do have online menus for screen readers – https://www.hotelduvin.com/locations/cheltenham/bistro/
Image – quiet corner in bar
Image – decor in bar and stair leading down to bistro
Image – bistro, open space with accessible tables
Lift
The lift can take you from the ground floor to the underground level which is the Bistro and the first level which is the accessible rooms. The lift is quite small, may not be suitable for a particularly large wheelchair, when entering the lift there is room for somebody to assist directly to the left, it is advisable for them to entre the lift first. The doors close quite quickly so best for somebody to hold the door.
Toilets
There is an accessible toilet on the ground floor, it is big enough for a wheelchair to turn around in and the facilities within the toilet are at a low level. There is an emergency cord to the left of the toilet if sat on toilet.
Customer Service
Luke the general manager and Remi the reception manager both showed us around the hotel, they were very polite and helpful. They took on all of our recommendations for improvements and were keen to as accessible as possible.
Image – lift with easy access buttons
Image – disabled toilet, two hand rails, adjustable rail to the right and emergency cord
https://goo.gl/maps/UTjmjpVzYkJ2
by Christian Drewitt | Cheltenham, Restaurants
Boston Tea Party | 1st June 2018
Parking
There is no customer parking but there are four/five designated disabled spots on Clarence Street within 100yds of the café for blue badge holders.
Accessibility
There are manual heavy doors to enter the cafe, there isn’t much space around the café to get around and it is quite small and not very accessible for a wheelchair. The manager Dale advised us that they offer table service if it was difficult for someone in a wheelchair to go and order at the bar, however we were waiting for over 10 minutes before anybody approached us.
Toilets
There is a disabled toilet located at the back of the building, however this is quite difficult to get to in a wheelchair due the lack of space. A customer had to get up off their chair for me to get my wheelchair to the toilet. Once inside the toilet it was good, there was adequate handrails and it was spacious.
Customer Service
Once my PA went up to the bar to notify Dale the manager that we were here, he was very helpful, he came and took our food order and showed us around the café and answered all our questions. He also came over to check if everything with okay with the food.
by Christian Drewitt | Cheltenham, Restaurants
Revolution | 30th May 2018
Parking
There is no designated customer parking. There is nearby parking on the Promenade, where there are four accessible parking spaces, alternatively there are four/five accessible parking spaces outside the library. Each of these locations is about a 5-minute journey walking or in a wheelchair and you will require a blue badge permit.
Accessibility
There is a singe manual door propped open which has a small sharp lip but the wheelchair was able to get over it. This leads to a set of manual double doors.
There are two floors to the venue, the top floor is inaccessible due to there being no lift. However, everything you need is on the ground floor. The restaurant is on the ground floor but in a raised section up three steps, there is a portable ramp which can be brought out to get up these steps however, this was too steep for my electric wheelchair. This would only be suitable for a manual wheelchair.
There are tables on the lowered section however, they are too tall for a wheelchair user. Due to not being able to sit in the restaurant the staff moved a table down to the bar area for me to sit at and were more than happy to do so.
We visited on a lunchtime and there was some light music playing in the background, in the evening Revolution becomes more of a bar/nightclub and is a popular spot for drinks, therefore the music will be louder.
They currently don’t offer large print or braille menus, however, the manager has requested that we send some information over so they can look into it.
There are some secluded booths however, these are not accessible for a wheelchair. There is no lowered section to the bar however, they offer table service and you can pay at your table.
There is a nice friendly atmosphere in the bar and the drinks and food looks great, they also serve some delicious looking cocktails.
Toilets
There is an accessible toilet located at the back of the building underneath the stairs, a RADAR key is required to access this toilet, there is one to hand in the bar.
There are adequate handrails for transfer and the facilities are all at a lowered height for wheelchairs.
Customer Service
Abby, the assistant manager kindly took the time out of her day to show us around the venue and answer our questions. She brought our drinks over to our table and was very friendly and helpful.
by Christian Drewitt | Cheltenham, Hotels, Recommended Venues
Jurys Inn – Cheltenham | 27th April 2018
Parking
There are six accessible parking spaces located right at the front of the building with easy access into the hotel. There was also one accessible parking space in the rear car park close to the leisure centre. Once checked in it is easier to gain access via the leisure club entrance as it is closer to the hotel rooms and the same level, so you can avoid the platform lift to save time. The hotel can reserve you a space in the rear car park if requested.
Customer Service
The general manager, Peter Hendry kindly took the time out of his busy day to show me around the facilities in the hotel. He gave me lots of useful information and was very polite and friendly. All other staff in the hotel were well dressed and well mannered.
Accessibility
There is a paved entrance into the hotel with a small slope up to the automatic double doors and a lowered reception point. Most of the rooms in the hotel are accessible via the lift however, there are two specific rooms for disabled guests on the ground floor, each with wide doors to access the rooms.
There is one double and one twin accessible room, both with wider door entrances. The double is the larger of the two with a larger bathroom. Both bathrooms have accessible shower seats which are mounted on the wall under the shower, lots of handrails and everything in the bathroom is at a low height.
Within the hotel they offer a vibrating pillow and flashing alarm system for the deaf in the case of an emergency, if you notify the receptionists of any specific needs upon arrival they will also come and assist you to ensure your safety in an emergency.
Guide dogs are allowed into the building.
Restaurant and Café / Meeting Rooms
There is a restaurant and café area on the ground floor, both have plenty of tables for wheelchairs to fit comfortably underneath. The café is open to members of the public, there are often people having business meetings within the café, they offer table service and you can pay at your table by cash or card.
The restaurant is more for the hotel guests, the food is served as a ‘help yourself’ buffet, which would be difficult for somebody in a wheelchair, but the staff will bring the food over to your table if required.
There are also a number of meeting rooms that can be hired out for private business meetings or functions, these are all accessible for wheelchairs.
Toilet
There is an accessible toilet located between the reception area and the café, the facilities within the toilet are good, there were handrails for right and left-hand transfer and everything was within reach for a wheelchair user. They were also nice and clean.
Lift
There is a lift which takes you up to more hotel rooms, I was able to fit my wheelchair in and my PA was able to fit in too, but it was tight. All of the facilities however are on the first floor as well as a large number of hotel rooms so the lift isn’t a necessity for a wheelchair user staying in the hotel.
There are also two platform stairs lifts to get up and down the small sets of stairs which lead down from the café to the hotel rooms, meeting rooms and leisure club. These both worked efficiently and the staff are happy to help with operating them.
by Christian Drewitt | Cheltenham, Recommended Venues, Restaurants
Brewhouse & Kitchen | 7th March 2018
Parking
The Brewhouse & Kitchen is located in Cheltenham Brewery quarter therefore there is no specific customer parking. There is an NCP car park just opposite the premises, they do offer disabled spaces however, they don’t offer discounted or free parking for blue badge holders. There is some on street pay and display just outside the brewery as well as double yellow lines to park on if you have a blue badge.
Accessibility
There are large, manual, double doors to enter the building with a flat entrance. The doors are quite heavy.
I visited on a week day at lunch time so it was fairly quiet and I found my own table to sit at, in the evening a staff member would show you to a table. Most of the venue is on the ground floor and is all accessible for a wheelchair apart from a small upstairs area with a few extra tables.
When walking into the bar/restaurant you are greeted with the smell of beer brewing. There was some quiet music playing in the background and it was nice and bright within the building. There are quite a few tables in the restaurant that are not suitable for a wheelchair, for example raised benches and barrels which have been converted into tables which add to the brewhouse effect. There are however, still plenty of tables that are suitable for a wheelchair and I made sure I was able to fit underneath several of them comfortably.
They do not offer braille or large print menus for the visually impaired and do not offer hearing loops for the deaf but the staff are willing to help read through the menu with you.
The restaurant is open plan and there aren’t any secluded booths but there a few quieter corners if you wanted to get away from the hustle and bustle.
The fire exit is up a few raised stairs so could cause difficulty for an electric wheelchair.
There is no lowered section to the bar so would be difficult for a wheelchair user to pay at the bar, however you are able to pay at the table by card or cash.
Customer Service
My PA went up to the bar to order our drinks, the gentleman serving was very polite, helpful and friendly and bought our drinks over to our table. He helped move the furniture, so I could fit my wheelchair under a table and also answered all of my extra questions for the assessment.
Toilets
There is a disabled toilet located on the righthand side of the bar. The toilet was nice and spacious inside with plenty of room for my wheelchair.
There were handrails to transfer and the sink, soap dispenser and hand dryer were all at a lowered height for wheelchair user.
There were some sanitary bins in the toilet and they were in the corner of the room and out of the way.
A RADAR key is required for the door
by Christian Drewitt | Attraction, Cheltenham, Recommended Venues
17th June 2017
There are two accessible parking spaces located at the front of the building.
There is a flat entrance leading into the venue with large accessible double doors.
Once inside, you go through a set of accessible double doors to enter the museum.
Attraction
Once inside there is a large open space which is all completely accessible.
There are lots of planes and little bits of information that you can get up close and personal with. I could drive my wheelchair right up to any of these displays with no trouble.
Outside there are some planes that are open for the public to go in and sit in. However these are inaccessible for wheelchair users due to the gravelled ground leading up to the planes.
There is a possibility of them looking into getting a third seat at the back one of the Harrier planes. Then this will make the plane accessible for wheelchair users. Watch this space for an update!
Toilets
There are accessible toilets located to the right as you enter the building.
These are accessible for wheelchair users. There isn’t quite enough room for a wheelchair to turn around safely. There is room for a family member or PA to assist a wheelchair user.
There are handrails for both transfer sides. The sink and toilet paper dispenser are both accessible for a wheelchair user. The hand dryer is a little too high for a wheelchair user.
The toilet doesn’t require a RADAR key.
The lighting in the toilet nice and bright. The toilets are nice and clean and safe to use.
Café
There is a café to the left as you enter the building. This is accessible for wheelchair users.
There are lots of tables that you can fit a wheelchair underneath.
Accessibility Rating
by Christian Drewitt | Cheltenham, Hotels, Recommended Venues
31st January 2017
There are six accessible parking spaces located outside the front of the building.
There is an accessible flat entrance into the venue. There is a large automatic door.
The staff are all friendly, well mannered and helpful.
Toilets
There are accessible toilets, these are located on the ground floor. These are accessible for wheelchair users. They are not large enough for a wheelchair to turn around safely but there is enough room for a PA or family member to assist a wheelchair user. The toilet has a handrail for both transfer sides. The sink and hand dryer are accessible for wheelchair users. The toilet does not require a RADAR key. There is enough lighting and the toilets are safe to use.
Lifts
There are two lifts within the building, these are located on the ground floor. They are accessible for wheelchair users but they are not large enough to turn around in safely. There is enough room for a PA or family member to assist a wheelchair user. The lighting inside the lift is good, however, the lift buttons are out of reach of a wheelchair users.
Restaurant
The restaurant and lounge have plenty of space and are accessible to wheelchair users. They serve breakfast Monday to Friday 7am-930am, Saturday 730am-1030am and Sunday 8am-11am. The bar and lounge serve food and snacks throughout the day. Dinner is served 7pm-930pm. They offer a larger menu for the visually impaired. If requested, staff will read the menu.
Rooms
There are two accessible twin rooms, these are located on the ground floor. There is clear access to both the rooms. There is a walk-in shower with a seat and plenty of room for a wheelchair user. The toilet has a handrail, one of the rooms has a left hand transfer and the other room has a right hand transfer. They offer a deaf guard and a hearing loop.
Facilities
The facility also offers a health spa, located on the lower ground floor. They offer a large accessible changing room with it’s own poolside entrance. There is a large walk in shower with a seat inside the changing room. They also offer a hoist with help into the pool. They also offer a gym and every staff member is trained to assist the disabled.
Accessibility Rating
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