Overview

As I entered the car park, I was immediately greeted by an attendant who was more than happy to show me around and keen to give me the inside scoop on the best way to navigate the car park. Top Tip 1: the south lift tends to be less busy than the one in the middle. Top Tip 2: you can pay at the barrier when you exit the car park, so you don't have to bother with the payment machines. I found it to be well-lit and signed, with clearly marked walkways across the parking area. I visited specifically for the EV chargers, of which there are two kinds: 4 CCS chargers up to 50kW with an integrated cable and 12 Type 2 22kW chargers without an integrated cable.

Transport & Parking

You are very close to many amenities in Leeds city centre, especially Kirkgate Market, Leeds Playhouse and lots of shops. The bus stations are also very close by. The closest bus stop is Victoria on East Gate (1, 38, 39, 42, 51, 52).

Access

While I got around the car park itself well in my powerchair, the lack of automatic doors was a bit inconvenient. The advice to pay directly at the barrier upon leaving at least alleviates that one of the payment machines (south) has its buttons and screen too high up to be usable from a seated position. The lifts are a good size and have handrails as well as mirrors on the back wall, so that you can see whether you are going to run anyone over upon exiting if you are reversing out. Unfortunately there are no Braille markings, but the numbers on the buttons are raised. As for the EV chargers... it is unfortunately unsurprising, but there is not at all enough space for users with wheelchairs or walkers to get out of and around the car unless the space next to them is free. On the upside, the terminal controls and card readers are easily accessible from a seated position, if you can get to them. While there might be a little more space to one side for the charging bays at the edge of the setup, metal columns get in the way there.

Toilets

You can access John Lewis via the car park lifts and they have accessible bathrooms on every floor. John Lewis is also attached to the Victoria Shopping Centre, which has a Changing Places toilet.

Staff

The attendant I spoke to was very friendly and keen to help. I was told that there is always someone there at any time of day, which makes it safer and ensures that there is someone there to help when you have a problem. When we spoke about how it is tricky to access the electric vehicle charging points in a wheelchair when cars are parked close by, he suggested that one could ask the attendant for help with operating the charger.

Photos