A quick cuppa
4
4
Date of visit: November 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
Good
I was in dire need of a hot drink on a rainy afternoon and popped into Papa J's, which is located at Arbroath bus station. The café is a modest offering but the staff were very accommodating, as were the café regulars. It is a little tight inside but with a bit of effort I was able to get to my table and to the loo.
Disabled Access In and Around
Average
There is a manual door at the entrance which is not particularly heavy. When I pushed on the door, staff spotted me and were quick to let me in. It is quite compact inside but they were still able to move some chairs around to accommodate me. The order counter is quite low which I appreciate as a wheelchair user. Staff were happy to take my order at my table however. We had to move some chairs so I could get to the loo but we managed. There is little in the way of access features overall and there are no alternative formats in use.
Accessible facilities: Single-level venue, Step-free entrance, Seating at regular intervals
Parking & Transport
Poor
I travelled to this place by walk or wheel
Located at Arbroath bus station, the easiest way to get to the café is by bus, although it's not quite a trendy brunch spot. Arbroath Railway station is 160 metres away. There are no parking spaces, accessible or otherwise.
Accessible Toilets
Average
There is one toilet at the café that is used by everyone. The door to the toilet opens outwards and does not need a RADAR key. Inside, it is pretty well equipped. The toilet pan is on the left and has contrasting rails and a contrasting toilet seat. There is space for a left side transfer and there would be space for a right side transfer but the rather large baby change unit cuts into that space, so much so that the red cord is draped over the baby change table. If this was replaced with a folding table it would make this loo much more accessible. The sink is at the foot of the changing unit. It has a deep basin, a lever style mixer tap and contrasting rails on either side. There is a mirror but it is quite high up and I could not see myself in it. The room is big enough for a powerchair user and another person or two, although getting to it could be a challenge.
Facilities: Accessible toilet
Staff
Excellent
The staff were absolutely lovely, so eager to make sure I was comfortable.
Comments
justjules
28 Jan 2026
Fab staff make all the difference!
