Helpful staff but no disabled access
1.5
1.5
Date of visit: April 2025
I have experience of challenges around: moving around
Overall Rating
Poor
Despite knowing I was disabled the junior solicitor told me the only way I could see some important documents was by climbing 2 flights of stairs. On my first visit the secretary brought the documents down to me in the entrance hall, I then on a further visit was forced to struggle up the stairs and was crying from pain by the time I got back to my car. They did offer telephone appointments but those are no help for seeing physical documents. I get that it's an old building but why promise to help then tell me I must come up to their office. The solicitor was good as were secretarial staff but the trainee needs work.
Disabled Access In and Around
Bad
Entry is by a buzzer intercom on the door, on my first visit the secretary came down to me. There is no lift and the offices and reception are up 2 flights of stairs. If you can manage the stairs there is a small seating area at the reception.
Parking & Transport
Average
Parking is at the council building across the road, there are 3 spaces which are often taken. The bus station is a 5-10 minute walk awkward to get too since the shopping centre closed, train station is about 1 mile away
Accessible Toilets
Average
Never used the toilets but no option for NA
Staff
Good
Staff were mostly helpful and very friendly but not all were helpful to disabled individuals needs. "When we say we can't manage stairs we aren't trying to be difficult" They did say documents could be taken down stairs or meeting at the court across the road however this was not offered when reminded I couldn't manage stairs.
