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.

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.

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.