Great coffee, some accessibility issues
4
4
Date of visit: August 2024
I am a disabled person. I have experience of challenges around: a hidden impairment, accessing toilets and moving around.
I use or have experience of: changing places toilet, disabled toilet, hidden impairment, powerchair, toilet with hoist, toilets, walking aid, wheelchair
Overall Rating
Good
I popped into Black Sheep for a latte while visiting Union Square Shopping Centre. I've been to the chain's other locations in Glasgow and Edinburgh, so I know I'm getting a good coffee. This trip was no exception, but there's certainly room for improvement due to some confusing decisions.
Disabled Access In and Around
Good
There's plenty of room for those who use mobility aids to manoeuvre, as well as a variety of low and high seating. At the entrance, there are many low tables and chairs, so you won't be short of a place to rest. The counter is lowered on the left side which is helpful to wheelchair users. I didn't see an induction loop or observe any alternative formats. As you enter, there is a tablet with a card reader on each side of a pillar on the left. They are all placed at standing height, it would be nice if one of these was lower for those who can't reach as high.
Parking & Transport
Good
Located in Union Square shopping centre, Black Sheep Coffee has plenty of parking and transport options. There is parking in the Union Square car park, the multi-story and the nearby College Street car park. Aberdeen Bus Station is attached to the shopping centre, as is Aberdeen Railway Station.
Accessible Toilets
Average
The toilet is small but could accommodate a second person. The toilet seat is on the rear wall as you enter, a left-side transfer is possible, however, there is a sanitary bin in the transfer space. There are grabrails on both sides of the toilet. The flush is on your right when seated. There's a low, small sink with a lever tap on the right wall (left when seated on the toilet) with grab rails on either side and a mirror. The soap dispenser and hand dryer are also on this wall, as is a waste bin. A folding baby change table is located on the right as you enter. The door opens outward and is unlocked using a radar key. Now, here's why I've rated it 2.5. The door is locked by raising the handle on the inside but for a reason I can't understand, a grabrail has been installed directly above the handle, which makes it impossible to lock from the inside. This means that anyone with a radar key, which can easily be purchased online, can enter the toilet when you're inside. When I raised this issue with the staff, who advised they'd pass it on, they explained that they have a special key to unlock the door from outside. I explained that I have the same key, and many others do too. The door is wide enough that the existing grabrail could be moved a few inches, so there's no real reason for this.
Staff
Good
The staff were helpful, offering to bring my drink to my table. They listened to my concerns about the toilet and agreed to pass on my feedback.
