It's all there, but it's not working
2
2
Date of visit: August 2016
I have experience of challenges around: moving around
Overall Rating
Poor
This building used to be a library, and is still owned by the council, so everything is there for there to be perfect accessibility. As it goes, there's serious room for improvement. The garden ramp has fallen into disrepair, the corridors are so packed full of boxes and shelves that it would be impossible to get around with a wheelchair or walker. Layout of sofas and desks leaves little room for the mobility impaired to actually get around.
Disabled Access In and Around
Average
Modest ramps up to the front door and down from the back and everything else is on one level, but the ramp at the back is in a state of disrepair, as is the pathway in the garden - impossible for a wheelchair user, and not good for hypermobile joints etc. either. Layout is very tightly packed with little room to manoeuvre around, and sofas and shelves laid out so that it would be impossible to see large sections of the shelving from a wheelchair or if a mobility aid bigger than a stick was required. Lots of corridors made much narrower with addition of shelves or boxes being used for storage.
Parking & Transport
Poor
The nearest bus stops are very close, and drivers will probably put down a disabled ramp for you. Parking is either on the street to the side or a very unkempt car park to the side with deep potholes and generally uneven ground which would be terrible for a wheelchair or walker.
Accessible Toilets
Bad
Disabled loos impossible to access using most wheelchairs or walkers or similar - due to shelving and boxes lining the corridor on the way. Not signposted. The disabled loo is also the ladies. Generally clean, but very little loo roll and no sanitary waste disposal services. Cord was tied up, and I'm not certain it is still in operation.
Staff
Average
Staff generally helpful, would offer to reach from high shelves, but nothing particularly stand out.
Additional Information
Would be so easy for this venue to shape up with their accessibility, could be done very simply and with a bit of extra staff training. Worthwhile charity as well, just needs a bit of help to ensure that everyone can access books through them - which is a part of their mission statement!
