Large, mostly accessible garden centre and cafe near Stranraer
4
4
Date of visit: October 2022
I am a carer or friend of a disabled person. I have experience of challenges around: accessing toilets, hearing and moving around.
I use or have experience of: changing places toilet, disabled toilet, hearing aid or cochlear implant, walking aid, wheelchair
Overall Rating
Good
Don't be put off by the outside of this well stocked garden centre. I usually try to get a good photo of the entrance to a place I'm reviewing for the 'headline' picture, but the entrance to it does not indicate how nice it is inside. The above picture is actually of the side entrance which leads to the path to the toilets. The main entrance is level and is shown in picture 5 below.
Disabled Access In and Around
Good
The interior is all level with wide sliding doors between the different sections. These can have a bit of a lip that sticks up slightly but there are helpful warning signs. The main aisles in the gift and garden furniture sections are wide enough for a wheelchair, although the aisles to the side displays are not. The interior has a good smooth paved surface. Outside most of the area is monoblock, but there is a small gravel area which was not in use during our visit. The cafe is spacious, with more seats beyond the sliding doors in the picture and seats outside. It is self-service but I saw staff volunteering to carry over trays for those who could not manage. The menu includes light meals such as soup, sandwiches and salads.
Parking & Transport
Excellent
There is a large car park with a hard surface, making it easy to push a wheelchair. There are a few Blue Badge spaces near the door, but these do not have cross-hatching at the sides. There is plenty of room to drop someone off, however.
Accessible Toilets
Good
The toilets are in a separate block outside. They can be accessed directly from the car park or by a ramp from the plant display area (see headline picture.) The path down looks far worse in picture 6 than it actually is. The surface is firm and the non-gravel part goes directly to the door of the accessible toilet. The toilet is spacious enough for a wheelchair user and assistant and has grips on both sides. There is not a red cord. It is also the baby change.
Staff
Excellent
All very pleasant and helpful.
Additional Information
We'd certainly visit again as it is well stocked and interesting. There is a small display of mobility scooters (two or three) in association with a local firm. The garden centre is two or three miles out of Stranraer. The town has a good Changing Places toilet in Morrisons supermarket. I believe there is also one in Stair Park although we have not used it.
