London Graphic Centre

Date of visit: May 2016

I am a disabled person. I have experience of challenges around: accessing toilets and moving around.

I use or have experience of: disabled toilet

Overall Rating

I was not able to get into this shop. Zero stars.

Disabled Access In and Around

0

The main entrance has a flight of steps - see my photo below. There is a goods entrance at the side, which has a very tall step at the door. Although a member of staff provided a wheelchair ramp to enter via this side door, this ramp is an old, heavy, ramshackle device on wheels and the gradient is far too steep to be safe. I was not able to use this ramp and it is not fit for purpose. I was not able to get into the shop. Even if I had been able to get into the shop, there is no lift to the upper floor, so the upper floor is a no-go area for wheelchair users. Zero stars.

Parking & Transport

This shop is in the heart of Covent Garden and although buses serve the surrounding area, they will not drop you off nearby. There are no step-free stations nearby. At some point from 2017 you will be able to use the new Tottenham Court Road station, which should be fully step-free.

Accessible Toilets

0

I was not able to get into the shop so I was unable to find out if there is an accessible toilet.

Staff

0

The man who brought the not-fit-for-purpose ramp was very apologetic about its uselessness, he was friendly and kind, and as I wasn't able to get into the shop, he kindly offered to bring me a selection of goods to look at. But what I wanted was not something in particular but to have a general look around the shop, and this proved to be impossible. The man who brought the ramp gets five stars: the staff overall get zero stars for refusing to provide access to wheelchair users.

Additional Information

London Graphics is exposing itself to possible legal difficulties by refusing access to wheelchair users. The provision of a dangerous, not-fit-for-purpose ramp does not constitute 'providing access'. It is not possible to get to the upper floor. This shop has existed since before the introduction of legislation making it obligatory to provide access for disabled people. It is extraordinary and disgraceful that after over twenty years the shop is still not fulfilling its legal obligations.

Add commentThanks