Friendly neighbourhood cafe in Dalry
5
5
Date of visit: April 2017
I am a carer or friend of a disabled person. I have experience of challenges around: moving around
Overall Rating
Excellent
Wheelchair accessible community cafe offering excellent homebakes and light meals.
Disabled Access In and Around
Good
Access is by a gently sloping ramp with an angled turn at the bottom (see pic). Access to the street end of ramp is through a metal gate shared with a local housing complex, and is occasionally blocked by a parked vehicle. The entrance door to the cafe opens outwards, which could present a problem for an inexperienced wheelchair user. Once inside, Salt Yard is spacious, with tables spaced well apart and easy access to all areas. The menus are on blackboards which are visible from the point of view of a wheelchair user, and the homebakes are clearly labelled. Customers order at the counter and then food and drink are brought to your table by the friendly and helpful staff, so no carrying of trays is involved.
Parking & Transport
Excellent
Can't comment on parking. Lothian Buses 2,3,4,25,33 and 44 serve nearby bus stops and there is a pedestrian crossing controlled by lights for those alighting from a bus heading westwards.
Accessible Toilets
Excellent
Clearly labelled, and it earns points for being labelled "Accessible" rather than "Disabled". It's an l-shaped space with plenty of room to manoeuvre a wheelchair. The alarm cord stretches down to the floor, the grab rails are well-positioned and include a vertical grab rail adjacent to the washbasin and hand dryer. There is space for side transfer onto the lavatory. See pic.
Staff
Excellent
Couldn't be friendlier or more helpful. Most of them are volunteers
Additional Information
Opening hours: 9am – 5pm Tue – Fri and 10am – 4pm on Saturdays. The address is 158 Dalry Road. This is a Fair Trade cafe. It's a child-friendly place and there's play space and equipment for kids, a shop area with crafts and gifts and even an accessible prayer room. Salt Yard is run by Gorgie-Dalry-Stenhouse Church of Scotland Parish and offers hospitality to the whole community. Prices are very reasonable and the quality excellent.
