Peacock Rooms Cafe

dystrophydad

19 Nov 2024

Lovely café with accessible toilet issues.

3.5

3.5

Date of visit: November 2024

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 popped into the café for a soft drink after a wander on wheels through Pittencrieff Park. I didn't happen to spot any of the eponymous peacocks, but I did find a lovely place to sit for a bit. The balcony seating offers views of the park, and the menu offers something for everyone. On a low note, the last two reviews mention issues with the accessible toilet, and I'm sad to say that nothing has changed since 2017.

Disabled Access In and Around

Good

The café is highly accessible, with ramped access, steps with rails on both sides, automatic doors and plenty of space to manoeuvre. The doors are wide enough for most mobility devices, although the entry corridor can be a bit of a bottleneck when you're leaving and people are coming in. There are plenty of places to sit, both inside and on the balcony, and I was able to reach the card machine from my wheelchair. There is no alternative signage, hearing loops or braille employed at this location, which is why I've marked it down slightly. Other than that, it's a place that would suit most.

Parking & Transport

Average

I wheeled into the park, entering via the Monastery Street entrance. It was mostly uphill, but short work on a power-assisted device. There is parking at the rear of the Peacock Rooms, with four accessible parking spaces, but there are no immediate bus routes, at least none that don't require walking all the way around the park. It's very much a place you visit once you're already in the park.

Accessible Toilets

Poor

I'm scoring a little lower for two reasons: one is the access issue within the toilet, and the other is the fact that they haven't been reassessed in seven years. I don't believe that nobody has left feedback in that time, which suggests that this isn't a priority. The toilet door opens outwards and doesn't need a RADAR key to enter. Although the door opens away from it, there is a table to the right of the door. The room is small and can accommodate a powerchair, but you'd struggle to fit a second person. The toilet was clean, with grab rails on both sides of the toilet and a sink with a lever-style tap and grab rails on both sides. There is space for a right-side transfer, but it's rendered useless by two large nappy bins and a baby change table. The emergency cord hangs freely, but it has been cut short, and this has been the case since at least 2017 when it was first reviewed on Euan’s Guide. An accessible toilet in the centre of a popular park is a great thing, but only when it's practical to use.

Staff

Good

I can't fault the staff, they were personable and eager to help.

Additional Information

I'd suggest ensuring that the red cord hangs to the floor and finding a solution for the large nappy bins. You could have a great facility here, and I'd gladly rescore if the accessible toilet was made to be properly accessible.