Overview

The Arndale Centre is one of the UK's biggest shopping malls. With over two hundred stores, 60 food and drink venues and footfall exceeding 41 million visitors each year, it's rather impressive. It also boasts a Changing Place toilet.

Transport & Parking

Public parking is provided within Arndale Car Park. At the time of writing, there is no charge for blue badge holders - provided they park in an accessible parking bay. The parking facilities are available 24/7. The 59, 112, 117, 118, 119, 135, and 163 bus services operate in this area, stopping just outside of The Unicorn on Church Street. The Market Street Metrolink is also close by, and as all trams are accessible, with ramps on either side of the platform, this would be my preferred way to travel.

Access

There's level and step-free access throughout the Arndale, although the lifts do not feature braille buttons or an induction loop. Each lift has a rail for those who need support and can easily accommodate a powerchair user and several other people.

Toilets

There are several accessible toilets at the Arndale, including a Changing Places toilet. Changing Places Toilet: This facility is let down by the fact that it’s not clear how to access it. I put my key in the door and turned it, yet the door remained locked. Gav, who works at Shopmobility directly across from the toilet, popped his head out to explain that you also need to press the buzzer and speak to someone who’ll remotely release the second lock. I understand this requirement is due to malicious damage to the toilet that occurred two years prior. The extra security feature is certainly understandable, but there's nowhere on the signage that explains you need to use the buzzer as well as your key to access the toilet. The Shopmobility staff have to explain this to anyone trying to use the toilet several times a day—this really needs to be addressed. If the method of entry has changed, so should the signage. The door, heavy and opening outwards, is secured and unlocked from the inside by pressing the button on the wall. The toilet has a slight odor, likely due to both the sanitary bins and poor ventilation. The toilet is spacious and includes many of the facilities one would expect in a Changing Places toilet. It features a large, adjustable changing bed, a ceiling track hoist, and a height-adjustable sink with a lever-style tap and grab rails on either side. There are grab rails on either side of the toilet seat, with the flush located on the left when seated. There is space for both right- and left-side transfers. The emergency cord is on the left of the toilet when seated, and it hung to the floor during my visit. Privacy screens are installed at both the toilet and the changing bed. There is no cord at the door, but instead, a phone on the wall providing a number to dial, either using the handset or your mobile phone. The phone is mounted rather high, which may make it difficult to reach for some users. Accessible Toilets: I only visited one toilet, but I understand they are much the same. As with the Changing Places toilet, every accessible toilet requires a RADAR key to enter. The door opens outward and has a grab rail on the inside. The toilet is located on the rear wall and features a contrasting seat and grab rail. The emergency cord is on the right when seated and wasn’t tied up. There is a clear right-side transfer space, with a colostomy shelf nearby. The toilets also have a low, small sink with a lever-style tap and plenty of room for both a powerchair and several carers.

Staff

Photos