Sort of accessible
3
3
Date of visit: January 2026
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
Visiting Off the Square was very much a spur of the moment decision when I had parked up in Kelso. I was looking for a quick bite and a coffee, which I found here. The café is quite compact, and if it had been any busier, I expect I wouldn't have been able to get in. Even when I visited, several patrons had to move their chairs out of the way – and that's with a manual wheelchair. I was pleased to see a ramp to the entrance, but upon entering the main corridor to the dining area, I had to move a trolley out of the way to get through, which wasn't the best start. The venue does have an accessible toilet, but I would only consider visiting on a quieter day. The food and coffee were good though.
Disabled Access In and Around
Poor
Due to the barrier of the heavy manual door, the trolley on entering, and how difficult it was to get to my seat, I feel I have to rate the access as poor. The staff are helpful, but this still presents a challenge. There are a variety of seating options, with soft chairs, wooden chairs and picnic tables out front. I'm not sure if table service is provided outside, but that would be nice, as the till is in the left corner of the room and requires squeezing past others to reach. There is a ramp leading up to the entrance, which has a grab rail on the right side only. There are no alternative formats in use.
Accessible facilities: Single-level venue, Step-free entrance, Seating at regular intervals
Parking & Transport
Average
I travelled to this place by walk or wheel
There is a bus stop across the road from the entrance on Horsemarket. This street also has plenty of on-street parking, though I didn't see many accessible spaces. These spaces can also be used for drop off.
Accessible facilities: Public or on street parking
Accessible Toilets
Poor
The toilet can be found in the corridor as you enter. The door opens inwards and does not require a RADAR key. The toilet is fairly small but could accommodate a powerchair user, although there is little space to turn. There is a left-side transfer space, which is very tight. The flush is located on the other side of the toilet pan. There are white rails on either side of the toilet pan, which contrast poorly against the rear white wall and the right-side papered wall. The toilet has no red cord, which is why the rating is lower here. The sink is small, with a lever-style mixer tap and a grab rail on the left side only. The toilet is functional and not the most unpleasant of loos, but it is really disappointing that there is no emergency cord.
Facilities: Accessible toilet
Staff
Good
The staff were nice and helped move some people out of the way, which was appreciated.
