You are on Overview. Skip to the next section.

Overview

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• About View
  • View information on opening times
• Parking and Public Transport View
  • The venue does not have its own car park.
  • There is a public car park nearby.
  • The nearest parking is located to the front of the store.
  • View information on The Galleries (opens new tab) .
  • The nearest step-free train station is Chester-le-Street.
  • The nearest Metro station is Pelaw.
  • The nearest bus station is Washington Galleries.
  • For the latest travel options and information you can plan your travel using Traveline (opens new tab).
• Getting In and Around View
  • There is step-free level access at the most accessible entrance.
  • There is step-free level access throughout, this may include the use of a lift.
  • Access throughout may include narrow walkways.
  • The ground and first floors can be accessed via a standard lift and escalator.
• Getting Help and Assistance View
  • There is seating available.
  • There is a fixed hearing assistance system.
  • You can borrow or hire the following equipment: a manual wheelchair.
  • There is not a water bowl available for assistance dogs.
  • Facilities/services include: Wi-Fi.

You are on Toilet and Changing Facilities. Skip to the next section.

Toilet and Changing Facilities

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• Toilet Facilities View
  • There is 1 toilet with adaptations.
  • The toilet with adaptations is located on the first floor, in the babywear department.
  • The toilet with adaptations has a right hand transfer space.
  • The gender inclusive step-free toilet facilities are located on the first floor, in the babywear department.
• Changing Places and Changing Facilities View
  • Parent and baby changing facilities are located on the first floor, in the babywear department.
  • The fitting rooms with adaptations are located on the ground and first floors.
  • The standard fitting rooms are located on the ground and first floors.

You are on Parking. Skip to the next section.

Parking

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• Drop-off Point View
  • There is not a designated drop-off point available.
• Public Car Parks View
  • There is a public car park located at the front of the store.
  • The name of the car park is The Galleries.
  • Designated Blue Badge parking bays are available in the car park.

You are on Entrance. Skip to the next section.

Entrance

• This entrance is located at the front of the store.
• The approach to the entrance has bollards.
• The entrance area is clearly signed.
• There is a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at the entrance.
• There is step-free level access at the entrance.
• There are double automatic doors at this entrance.
• The doors open by sliding.
• The width of the opening is 278cm.
• The doors have a low visual contrast.

You are on Shop Floor (Ground Floor - Womens and Food Hall). Skip to the next section.

Shop Floor (Ground Floor - Womens and Food Hall)

• There is step-free level access throughout all areas.
• The majority of main aisle widths are over 180cm.
• Some flooring is shiny.
• The visual contrast between the shelving and floor varies between low and high.
• There is background noise.
• Signage is provided.
• Signage is clearly visible with high contrasting colours.
• The colour, design and typeface of signs is not consistent throughout.
• Seating available on this floor includes: armchairs.
• Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
• The height of the touchscreen display ranges from 147cm to 157cm from the floor.
  The touchscreen has the following accessibility aids: Screen Shrink and a call for assistance button.
  When made accessible the height of the touchscreen display ranges from 116cm to 140cm from the floor.

You are on Fitting Room with Adaptations (Ground Floor - Womens). Skip to the next section.

Fitting Room with Adaptations (Ground Floor - Womens)

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• Access View
  • The fitting room surveyed is located on the ground floor, to the rear left of the store.
  • The fitting room surveyed is female only.
  • The distance from the entrance is 27m.
  • The most accessible route to the fitting room has step-free level access.
  • There is step-free level access into the fitting room.
  • There is numbered signage for the fitting room.
  • The door opens outwards and has a low visual contrast.
  • The width of the opening is 96cm.
  • Internally the door has a high visual contrast.
  • There is a lever twist lock.
• Dimensions and Features View
  • The dimensions of the fitting room are 242cm (width) x 244cm (depth) and there is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
  • There are grab rails and dropdown rails available.
  • The grab rails have a medium visual contrast.
  • The dropdown rails have a medium visual contrast.
  • There is a wall mounted chair available.
  • The seat/chair is 48cm from the floor.
  • There is no assistance bell.
  • There is a pull cord emergency alarm within 10cm from the floor.
  • There is a full length mirror.
  • There are multiple coat hooks.
  • The coat hooks are 60cm and 110cm from the floor.
  • The walls and floor have a low visual contrast.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

You are on Checkouts (Ground Floor - Womens). Skip to the next section.

Checkouts (Ground Floor - Womens)

• The checkout area is located to the left hand side of the store.
• There is step-free level access to the checkout area.
• The venue has a payment counter and self-serve touchscreens.

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• Payment Counter View
  • Signage is provided for the counter.
  • Signage is clearly visible with high contrasting colours.
  • The queue width is between 120cm and 150cm and there is no need to turn.
  • The payment counter has patterned/distracting backgrounds.
  • The height of the payment counter is 92cm.
  • There is a lowered section at the counter.
  • The height of the lowered section is 77cm.
  • The card payment machine is portable.
  • There is a clearly signed fixed hearing assistance system.
  • The hearing assistance system was tested and working at the time of the survey.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
• Self-Service Touchscreens View
  • The self-service touchscreen surveyed was the accessible touchscreen.
  • The self-service touchscreens have the following accessibility features: a call for assistance button and lowered loading/packing areas.
  • The height of the loading area is 75cm.
  • The height of the self-serve touchscreen display ranges from 118cm to 128cm from the floor.
  • The height of the scanner is 104cm.
  • The height of the packing area is 75cm.
  • The card payment machine is portable.
  • Assistance is available at the self-serve checkouts.

You are on Checkouts (Ground Floor - Food Hall). Skip to the next section.

Checkouts (Ground Floor - Food Hall)

• The checkout area is located to the left of the Food Hall entrance.
• There is step-free level access to the checkout area.
• The venue has standard checkouts, self-serve touchscreens and Scan as you Shop touchscreens.

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• Standard Checkouts View
  • The queue width is under 120cm and there is no need to turn.
  • The checkout has patterned/distracting backgrounds.
  • The height of the loading area is 94cm.
  • The height of the packing area is 92cm.
  • The card payment machine is portable.
  • There is a clearly signed fixed hearing assistance system.
  • The hearing assistance system was tested and working at the time of the survey.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
• Self-Service Touchscreens View
  • The self-service touchscreen surveyed was the accessible touchscreen.
  • The self-service touchscreens have the following accessibility features: a call for assistance button, lowered touchscreens and lowered loading/packing areas.
  • The height of the loading area is 58cm.
  • The height of the self-serve touchscreen display ranges from 103cm to 122cm from the floor.
  • The height of the scanner is 102cm.
  • The height of the packing area is 58cm.
  • The card payment machine is portable.
  • Assistance is available at the self-serve checkouts.

You are on Lift. Skip to the next section.

Lift

• The lift surveyed is located to the left of the entrance.
• The distance from the entrance is 14m.
• The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access.
• The ground and first floors are accessed by this lift.
• The lift door has a low visual contrast.
• The lift has a level manoeuvring space in front of it for a wheelchair user (150cm x 150cm).
• The external lift control buttons have tactile markings, Braille markings and a high visual contrast.
• All of the external lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
• The lift door opening width is 120cm.
• The internal dimensions of the lift are 207cm (width) x 159cm (depth).
• The internal lift control buttons have tactile markings, Braille markings and a high visual contrast.
• All of the internal lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
• Internally the lift has: a mirror to aid reversing, a hearing assistance alarm system, a visual floor indicator and an audible announcer.
• Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

You are on Escalators. Skip to the next section.

Escalators

• The escalators surveyed are located in the centre of the store.
• The ground and first floors are accessed by escalators.
• The escalator steps are unmarked.
• The foot (bottom) and head (top) of the escalators are clearly marked.
• Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

You are on Shop Floor (First Floor - Lingerie, Mens, Beauty and Kids). Skip to the next section.

Shop Floor (First Floor - Lingerie, Mens, Beauty and Kids)

• There is step-free level access throughout all areas.
• The majority of main aisle widths are between 150cm - 180cm.
• The visual contrast between the shelving and floor varies between low and high.
• There is background noise.
• Signage is provided.
• Signage is clearly visible with high contrasting colours.
• The colour, design and typeface of signs is not consistent throughout.
• Seating available on this floor includes: chairs with armrests, armchairs and benches.
• Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

You are on Fitting Room with Adaptations (First Floor - Lingerie). Skip to the next section.

Fitting Room with Adaptations (First Floor - Lingerie)

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• Access View
  • The fitting room surveyed is located ahead from the lift and to the right.
  • The fitting room surveyed is female only.
  • The distance from the lift is 28m.
  • The most accessible route to the fitting room has step-free level access.
  • There is step-free level access into the fitting room.
  • There is numbered signage for the fitting room.
  • The door opens outwards and has a low visual contrast.
  • The width of the opening is 96cm.
  • Internally the door has a high visual contrast.
  • There is a lever twist lock.
• Dimensions and Features View
  • The dimensions of the fitting room are 228cm (width) x 224cm (depth) and there is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
  • There are grab rails and dropdown rails available.
  • The grab rails have a medium visual contrast.
  • The dropdown rails have a medium visual contrast.
  • There is a wall mounted chair available.
  • The seat/chair is 49cm from the floor.
  • There is no assistance bell.
  • There is a pull cord emergency alarm within 10cm from the floor.
  • There is a full length mirror.
  • There are multiple coat hooks.
  • The coat hooks are 110cm and 160cm from the floor.
  • The walls and floor have a low visual contrast.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

You are on Fitting Room with Adaptations (First Floor - Mens). Skip to the next section.

Fitting Room with Adaptations (First Floor - Mens)

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• Access View
  • The fitting room surveyed is located ahead from the lift and to the right of the store.
  • The fitting room surveyed is male only.
  • The distance from the lift is 51m.
  • The most accessible route to the fitting room has step-free level access.
  • There is step-free level access into the fitting room.
  • There is numbered signage for the fitting room.
  • The door opens outwards and has a low visual contrast.
  • The width of the opening is 96cm.
  • Internally the door has a high visual contrast.
  • There is a lever twist lock.
• Dimensions and Features View
  • The dimensions of the fitting room are 224cm (width) x 224cm (depth) and there is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
  • There are grab rails and dropdown rails available.
  • The grab rails have a medium visual contrast.
  • The dropdown rails have a medium visual contrast.
  • There is a wall mounted chair available.
  • The seat/chair is 48cm from the floor.
  • There is no assistance bell.
  • There is a pull cord emergency alarm within 10cm from the floor.
  • There is a full length mirror.
  • There are multiple coat hooks.
  • The coat hooks are 60cm and 110cm from the floor.
  • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

You are on Checkouts (First Floor). Skip to the next section.

Checkouts (First Floor)

• The checkout area is located ahead from the lift and to the right.
• There is step-free level access to the checkout area.
• The venue has a payment counter and self-serve touchscreens.

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• Payment Counter View
  • Signage is provided for the counter.
  • Signage is clearly visible with high contrasting colours.
  • The queue width is under 120cm and there is no need to turn.
  • The payment counter has patterned/distracting backgrounds.
  • The height of the payment counter is 92cm.
  • There is a lowered section at the counter.
  • The height of the lowered section is 78cm.
  • The card payment machine is portable.
  • There is a clearly signed fixed hearing assistance system.
  • The hearing assistance system was tested and working at the time of the survey.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
• Self-Service Touchscreens View
  • The self-service touchscreen surveyed was the accessible touchscreen.
  • The self-service touchscreens have the following accessibility features: a call for assistance button and lowered loading/packing areas.
  • The height of the loading area is 76cm.
  • The height of the self-serve touchscreen display ranges from 120cm to 130cm from the floor.
  • The height of the scanner is 105cm.
  • The height of the packing area is 76cm.
  • The card payment machine is portable.
  • Assistance is available at the self-serve checkouts.

You are on Toilet with Adaptations (First Floor - Right Hand Transfer). Skip to the next section.

Toilet with Adaptations (First Floor - Right Hand Transfer)

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• Access View
  • The toilet surveyed is located on the first floor, ahead from the lift in the babywear department.
  • The distance from the lift is 75m.
  • The most accessible route to the toilet has step-free level access.
  • There is step-free level access into the facility.
  • There is pictorial, written text and ‘Not All Disabilities Are Visible’ signage on or near the door.
  • The door opens outwards and has a high visual contrast.
  • The width of the door opening is 82cm.
  • The door has a lever twist lock.
  • Internally the door has a high visual contrast.
  • There is a grab rail on the internal door with a medium visual contrast.
• Dimensions and Features View
  • The dimensions of the cubicle are 150cm (width) x 230cm (depth) and there is not room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
  • There is a lateral transfer space to the right as you face the toilet, however it is obstructed.
  • The lateral transfer space is 83cm (from the side of the toilet pan).
  • There is a wall sensor flush on the transfer side.
  • There is a horizontal grab rail on the non-transfer side.
  • The horizontal grab rail has a high visual contrast.
  • There is a vertical grab rail on the transfer side.
  • The vertical grab rail has a medium visual contrast.
  • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
  • The dropdown rail has a medium visual contrast.
  • The toilet seat is 44cm 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 101cm 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 rails are on both sides of the wash basin.
  • The wash basin grab rails have a high visual contrast.
  • There is a wall mounted soap dispenser which can be reached when seated on the toilet.
  • The soap dispenser has a low visual contrast.
  • The soap dispenser is 99cm from the floor.
  • There is a wall mounted towel dispenser which can be reached when seated on the toilet.
  • The towel dispenser has a low visual contrast.
  • The towel dispenser is 99cm from the floor.
  • There is a wall mounted hand dryer.
  • The hand dryer has a low visual contrast.
  • The hand dryer is 91cm from the floor.
  • There is a pull cord emergency alarm within 10cm from the floor.
  • There is a full length mirror.
  • There is no shelf.
  • The cubicle has a waste bin and a sanitary bin.
  • There are multiple coat hooks.
  • The coat hooks are 112cm and 151cm from the floor.
  • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

You are on Parent and Baby Room / Feeding Room (First Floor). Skip to the next section.

Parent and Baby Room / Feeding Room (First Floor)

• The room surveyed is located on the first floor, ahead from the lift in the babywear department.
• The distance from the lift is 75m.
• The most accessible route to the room has step-free level access.
• There is step-free level access into the room.
• There is pictorial and written text signage on or near the door.
• The door opens inwards and has a high visual contrast.
• The width of the door opening is 82cm.
• Internally the door has a high visual contrast.
• The height of the baby change facility when in use is 72cm.
• There is a toilet, a wash basin, a paper towel dispenser and a mirror in the room.
• The wash basin has a sensor tap.
• The room has a nappy/incontinence items bin and a sanitary bin.
• The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
• Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.