Skip to main content
The new name for DisabledGo

Search for accessible places to go

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Borough Hall

Middlegate, Headland, Hartlepool, TS24 0JD

View Accessibility Symbols

Accessibility Symbols

For more information about what these symbols mean, view our Accessibility Symbols Guide.

Close this popup window.

Access Guide

Show Easy Read

Overview

Toilet and Changing Facilities

  • Toilet Facilities View
    • There is 1 toilet with adaptations.
    • The toilet with adaptations is located ahead and to the left as you enter the venue, by the entrance to Constables Bar.
    • The toilet with adaptations has a left hand transfer space.
    • Ambulant toilet facilities are located within the standard male and female toilets in the main hall.
    • The male and female step-free toilet facilities are located ahead and to the left as you enter the venue, by the entrance to Constables Bar and at the rear of the main hall.
  • Changing Places and Changing Facilities View
    • Parent and baby changing facilities are located within the toilet with adaptations.

Parking

  • Car Park View
    • The car park is located on Middlegate Road opposite Borough Hall.
    • The car park is open air/surface.
    • The car park surface consists of tarmac.
    • There are 5 designated Blue Badge parking bays available.
    • The Blue Badge bays are clearly marked.
    • The surveyed Blue Badge parking bay dimensions are 230cm (width) x 470cm (depth).
    • There is a marked zone to both sides and rear.
    • The width of the marked zone is 120cm.
    • The nearest designated bay is 19m from the entrance.
    • The most accessible route from the Blue Badge parking has bollards and slight ramps or slopes.
    • There is a dropped kerb with tactile paving from the designated Blue Badge parking.
  • Charges and Restrictions View
    • This car park is for staff and visitors only.
    • Parking is free for all users.
    • Clearly presented parking signs are available.
  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop-off point available.

Entrance

  • This entrance is located at the front of the venue on Middlegate.
  • The approach to the entrance has bollards.
  • The entrance area is not clearly signed.
  • There is not a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at the entrance.
  • There is step-free access via a very easy slope at the entrance.
  • There is a single automatic door at this entrance.
  • The door opens towards you.
  • There is a push pad at a height of 120cm.
  • The width of the opening is 83cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
  • The door has a high visual contrast.
  • There is a push pad or push button to exit at a height of 105cm.
  • There is a second single automatic door.
  • The second door opens towards you.
  • The push pad for the automatic doors is at a height of 104cm.
  • The width of the opening is 87cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
  • The second door has a low visual contrast.
  • There is a push pad or push button to exit at a height of 104cm.
  • There is step-free level access as you enter.

Reception

  • The reception is located ahead as you enter the venue in the Main Hall.
  • The distance from the entrance is 13m.
  • The most accessible route to reception has manual doors.
  • There is step-free level access to reception.
  • The height of the reception desk is 103cm.
  • There is not a lowered section at the desk.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • There is background noise in this area which varies depending on the function/event.
  • Some flooring is shiny.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey, with unshaded light sources.

Getting Around

  • There is step-free level access throughout the majority of areas.
  • The following areas have step-free access via ramps or slopes: Constables Bar.
  • The following areas have stepped access: the balcony, balcony seating and stage.
  • Access throughout may include doors permanently held open and manual doors.
  • Some flooring is shiny and patterned.
  • The visual contrast between the walls and floor varies between low and high.
  • There is background noise in this area which varies depending on the function/event.
  • Wayfinding signage is provided.
  • Some signage is clearly visible with high contrasting colours.
  • The colour, design and typeface of signs is not consistent throughout.
  • Lighting levels vary due to the size of the space.
  • Lighting levels are adjustable in some areas.

Room (Main Hall)

  • The room is located ahead as you enter the venue.
  • The distance from the entrance is 12m.
  • The most accessible route to the room has step-free level access, doors permanently held open and manual doors.
  • There is written text signage on or near the door.
  • There is step-free level access into the room.
  • There are double manual doors with a low visual contrast.
  • The doors open towards you.
  • The width of the opening is 140cm.
  • There is step-free level access throughout the majority of areas.
  • The following areas have stepped access: the stage.
  • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
  • There is space for an assistance dog to rest.
  • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
  • Seating available in the room includes: chairs without armrests.
  • Furniture available in the room includes: tables.
  • Some surface heights are suitable for wheelchair users.
  • The clear underside space of some surfaces is suitable for wheelchair users.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • There is background noise in this area which varies depending on the function/event.
  • Lighting levels vary due to the size of the space.
  • Lighting levels are adjustable.

Eating and Drinking (Constables Bar)

  • Location and Access View
    • Constables Bar is located ahead then to the left as you enter the venue.
    • The most accessible route has a slight ramp or slope, doors permanently held open and manual doors.
    • There is step-free level access into this area.
    • There are double manual doors with a low visual contrast.
    • The doors open away from you.
    • The width of the opening is 162cm.
  • Service View
    • This area has a bar where drinks can be ordered and staff who can provide assistance with ordering.
    • Full table service is not available.
    • The following are available: drinking straws.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • Order and Payment View
    • The bar was surveyed.
    • The counter is located to the right as you enter.
    • There is step-free level access to the counter.
    • The height of the counter is 106cm.
    • There is not a lowered section at the counter.
    • The counter has mirrors.
  • Seating Area View
    • There is step-free level access throughout the seating area.
    • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
    • There is space for an assistance dog to rest.
    • The flooring is patterned.
    • The walls and floor visual contrast varies between low and high.
    • Seating available in this area includes: stools, chairs with armrests, sofas and high stools.
    • Furniture available in this area includes: high tables and tables.
    • Some chairs and tables are fixed.
    • The surface height of the tables is not suitable for wheelchair users.
    • The clear height under the tables is not suitable for wheelchair users.
    • There is background noise in this area.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey, with unshaded light sources.
    • Lighting levels are adjustable.

Toilet with Adaptations (Ground Floor - Left Hand Transfer)

  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet surveyed is located ahead and to the left as you enter the venue, by the entrance to Constables Bar.
    • The distance from the entrance is 18m.
    • The most accessible route to the toilet has a slight ramp or slope, manual doors and doors permanently held open.
    • There is step-free level access into the facility.
    • There is pictorial and written text signage on or near the door.
    • The door opens outwards and has a high visual contrast.
    • The width of the door opening is 86cm.
    • The door has a twist lock.
    • Internally the door has a high visual contrast.
    • There is a grab rail on the internal door with a low visual contrast.
  • Dimensions and Features View
    • The dimensions of the cubicle are 150cm (width) x 210cm (depth) and there is not room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
    • There is a lateral transfer space to the left as you face the toilet, however it is obstructed.
    • The lateral transfer space is 86cm (from the side of the toilet pan).
    • There is a lever flush on the non-transfer side.
    • There is a horizontal grab rail on the non-transfer side.
    • The horizontal grab rail has a high visual contrast.
    • There is no vertical grab rail for the toilet.
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • The dropdown rail has a high visual contrast.
    • The toilet seat is 46cm from the floor.
    • The toilet seat has a low visual contrast.
    • The toilet has a padded backrest.
    • There is a wall mounted toilet roll holder which can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The toilet roll holder has a low visual contrast.
    • The toilet roll holder is 97cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin and taps can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is 74cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin has a lever mixer tap.
    • The vertical grab rail is on the left as you face the wash basin.
    • The wash basin grab rail has a high visual contrast.
    • There is a soap dispenser, however it is not wall mounted.
    • There is not a towel dispenser.
    • There is a wall mounted hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer has a low visual contrast.
    • The hand dryer is 88cm from the floor.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm within 10cm from the floor.
    • There is a mirror.
    • There is no shelf.
    • The cubicle has a nappy/incontinence items bin and a waste bin.
    • There are no coat hooks.
    • The height of the baby change facility when in use is 87cm.
    • The walls and floor have a low visual contrast.
    • Lighting levels were low at the time of the survey.

Stairs

  • The stairs surveyed are located ahead then to the left as you enter the venue.
  • The ground and first floors can be accessed by these stairs.
  • There are 17 steps between floors.
  • The steps are unmarked and have handrails on both sides.
  • The handrails are easy to grip.
  • The handrails cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
  • The handrails do not extend horizontally beyond the first and last step.
  • The height of the steps is between 15cm and 18cm.
  • The height of the highest step is 17cm.
  • The depth of the steps is between 30cm and 45cm.
  • Lighting levels were low at the time of the survey.

Seating Area (Balcony)

  • Location and Access View
    • The balcony is located on the first floor and currently only accessed via the stairs.
    • The most accessible route has manual doors, doors permanently held open and steps.
    • There is step-free level access into this area.
  • Seating Area View
    • There is step-free level access throughout the seating area, this may include the use of a lift.
    • The following areas have stepped access: lower tiered seating.
    • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
    • There is space for an assistance dog to rest.
    • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
    • Some flooring is shiny.
    • Seating available in this area includes: chairs with armrests and chairs without armrests.
    • Furniture available in this area includes: tables.
    • Some chairs are fixed.
    • There is background noise in this area which varies depending on the function/event.
    • Lighting levels were low at the time of the survey.
    • Lighting levels are adjustable.