Costa Coffee

dystrophydad

30 Oct 2025

Costa Coffee

3

3

Date of visit: October 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

Average

This branch of Costa Coffee is convenient for folks staying over at the nearby Travelodge. It has accessible parking spaces at the entrance, and an accessible toilet which makes it suitable for disabled folks looking to grab a coffee or a quick comfort break. This venue has a drive-thru for those who don't intend to stop over.

Disabled Access In and Around

Average

Outside the venue, there’s outdoor seating and water bowls for dogs, which is great for anyone bringing an assistance dog or pet. At the entrance, there’s a bell to request assistance, as the door isn’t automatic. Inside, the venue is quite compact and can get busy. I could move around easily in my manual chair, but if you’re in a larger power chair, you might need to ask people to shuffle a bit. There’s a variety of seating: soft-backed benches, hard and padded chairs, and a small sofa at the back. The benches have power sockets underneath. There isn’t a lowered section at the front counter, but the staff were really helpful and brought my food over to me. The accessible toilet is on your left as you enter.

Accessible facilities: Single-level venue, Step-free entrance, Seating at regular intervals

Parking & Transport

Good

I travelled to this place by personal vehicle

There are two accessible parking spaces at the entrance, and plentiful parking across the retail park as a whole. I only paid attention to the spaces at this branch but I expect additional accessible parking spaces will be available at the other businesses. The car park has dropped kerbs, which make it easier to navigate when using a wheelchair or mobility aid from the main road. There’s a zebra crossing leading from the car park, with tactile paving on either side. Just over 200 feet from the entrance, there is a bus stop where the B1 and Berwick Hoppa Services operate. There are no EV chargers here or in the retail park but there is one 320 metres away in the McDonald's Car park.

Accessible facilities: Dedicated on-site parking

Accessible Toilets

Average

The door to the accessible toilet opens outwards. The toilet itself is on the smaller side, with silver grab rails on both sides of the toilet and a left-side transfer space. There’s a bin in the transfer area, which means a little manoeuvring might be needed, but it’s still usable. The red emergency cord hangs freely to the floor, which is good to see. Both handrails are at a comfortable height, and there’s a small sink with a lever tap, plus a soap dispenser within easy reach. There are two grab rails and a hand dryer mounted on the wall to the right of the sink. A baby changing unit is also provided. To lock the door, you lift the handle upwards, and there’s Braille signage above it. There isn’t a colostomy shelf, and there were some loose toilet rolls resting on a grab rail, which isn’t ideal. The space is big enough for a manual wheelchair or a small power chair, with room for a second person if needed. The bin is pedal-operated.

Facilities: Accessible toilet

Staff

Excellent

The staff were very accomodating, quick to open the door when they saw me and offering to bring my food and coffee to my table rather than hand me a full cup and expect me to manage.