Nightmare trying to park
0.5
0.5
Date of visit: October 2024
I have experience of challenges around: moving around
Overall Rating
Bad
Free Parking for disabled in Poole town centre is a nightmare. 12 bays under the fly over by the train station. 10 bays behind the Dolphin centre. I did find a futher 6 bays today, if you can't park under the fly over by the train station. As you leave the station, drive up the road turn left not right onto the fly over roundabout and just on the left side there is another 6 bays. The main car park which use to be free to all disabled blue badge holders by the Unemployment centre, unless you have a Poole council permit as well as your blue badge, you have to pay. I have a motorbility car which is tax free & just found out we also have to pay. I called Poole council after asking the traffic warden what to do as ticket machine instructions not clear. To get a Poole council parking permit, you have to send in your PIP or DLA confirmation as well as your motorbility papers with car registration details. Cost £26 per year. If you don't use Poole town centre often then the cost of the permit is not worth it. Cheaper to use the multi storey.
Disabled Access In and Around
Excellent
Low level ramps, Dolphin centre plenty of shops with easy access. High street not great for self propelling wheelchairs it's really uneven in parts.
Parking & Transport
Bad
Accessible Toilets
Poor
Disabled public toilet by the Unemployment centre on occasions I have needed to use it, there has been cleaning products stacked inside mop buckets cleaning products.
Staff
Excellent
Never had any problems going in shops, asking staff to get things off shelves I can't reach. Best customer service is in Beales in the Dolphin centre.
