CastleCourt Shopping Centre

Date of visit: February 2025

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

Castle Court Shopping Centre is deceptively modern. I felt the building looked a bit tired, grey and dull as I entered via the Smithfield entrance, where you'll find the car park, but inside it was quite bright and open. If taking the bus, you'll likely come in through the Royal Avenue entrance, which is much nicer and offers a photo opportunity at the large yellow Belfast sign.

Disabled Access In and Around

I've primarily scored lower here due to the absence of visible hearing loops and the lack of Braille and hearing loops in the lifts. As a positive, the lifts are very spacious, with a grabrail around the perimeter, offering loads of room for a manual wheelchair or powerchair, plus a few other people. There are clear markings at the bottom and top of the stairs and escalators, and handrails for those who need them. I particularly liked how much room there was between the shops and public walking routes, although it is pretty much like any other shopping centre. You'll find plenty of seating options downstairs, as at the food court, where you'll find the following eateries: Burger King, Eatao, KFC, Mitsuru, Rhiannon’s Cakes & Bakes, The Sandwich Crew and Yangtze.

Parking & Transport

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Parking is available at the CastleCourt carpark, within the centre, which features at least 10 accessible parking spaces. Parking is not free, so be sure to check ahead. The closest train station is the recently opened Grand Central Station, which is also a bus station, located just over half a mile away from CastleCourt. The nearest bus stop is nearby on Royal Avenue, where the (deep breath) 1A, 1C, 1D, 1E, 1F, 1G, 1J, 1K, 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F, 2G, 2H, 2J, 2K, 2M, 2P, 13, 13A, 13C, 14, 14A, 14B, 96, 563, 563B, 563D, 563E, 563F, 566, 568, 568A, 568B, 568D, 648, 649A, 696, U1 and U2 services operate. I thin you'll agree thats a lot of busses!

Accessible Toilets

The accessible toilet is just by the food court. The door slides to the side and is operated by a touchpad, which is great to see, although it does take a few seconds to lock from the inside. The pull cord is far too short, stopping at the first bangle, which isn’t great. There are contrasting grab rails on either side of the toilet and sink, which has a lever-style tap, along with a contrasting toilet seat. There is space for a right-side transfer to the toilet, which was unobstructed, and a wall-mounted baby-changing table too. There’s also a Changing Places toilet upstairs, near the car park exit, but you’ll need a staff key to access it, not a RADAR key. There’s a sign on the wall telling you to find a member of staff to get in. It also wrongly claims that the facility is only “for disabled people with complex needs and their carers”. That kind of messaging just adds to our challenges. Changing Places toilets are vital for loads of reasons: they offer more space for larger mobility aids, might have a colostomy shelf or simply provide a calmer, more welcoming space for those who need it. The sign doesn’t give any clue where to find a staff member. I decided to see how long it would take to get access and gave up after twenty minutes. I couldn't find anyone. There’s no point having a Changing Places toilet if people can’t use it. Non-disabled people generally don’t have to go on a mission just to use the loo. We shouldn’t have to either.

Additional Information

I now understand there's a customer service desk in CastleCourt, but the Changing Places toilet signage doesn't mention this.

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