Overview

Generally wheelchair accessible to all shops & restaurants, the cinema and even a nature trail.

Transport & Parking

I used my local bus and, of course, all buses now need to be fully accessible so no fault there. Passing a car park on my way in, I noticed a section dedicated to Blue Badge holders, clearly marked with plenty of room to open doors, having wide cross-hatching at alternate sides of the bays.

Access

Access throughout the centre is very good. There is a Shopmobility service (at Ability Plus) by the ground level exit to the Plaza Car Park for those who need to hire a wheelchair or mobility scooter. Shops: Being an indoor shopping mall, the shops are all step-free. Stores on 2 levels each have an internal lift. Of course, navigating some stores can be frustrating due to the number of extra promotional displays between the shelving units which narrow the access between aisles. This is not restricted to Bluewater but is a nationwide problem. Cinema: Although not visiting on this occasion, the cinema has excellent access, with the wheelchair spaces usually in rows E, F or G due to the ramped entrances to each auditorium. You are never dumped in the front row! The accessible toilets are not perfect but the wheelchair parking space is usually kept clear with the sanitary bin placed elsewhere. Nature Trail: One of the lakes formed from the chalk pit which houses Bluewater has been carefully planted & managed to encourage wildlife with a tarmac trail around the lake. It is well signposted & fully accessible.

Toilets

There are plenty of accessible toilets. However, I've yet to find one that I would describe as excellent. The toilet I used on this occasion was combined with a baby-change table. I couldn't reverse past the folded table into the wheelchair space as it was in the space, sticking out 8" from the wall. Most other toilets have a sanitary bin blocking the space. I haven't tried the "High Dependency Unit" (assuming this to be a "Changing Places" toilet) as you have to phone up centre management or go to the upper level concierge desk to request access. The HDU is on the lower level.

Staff

Staff at the lower level concierge desk near M&S are helpful & sympathetic to complaints raised. Unfortunately the many complaints I've put in about the toilets having the wheelchair parking space blocked get a favourable reply but then no follow-up remedy so I end up complaining again. Shop & cinema staff are always helpful.

Anything else you wish to tell us?

I regularly visit the centre for shopping & going to the cinema. I would recommend it for anyone in North Kent or South London. Indeed, the cinema is so good for access, I go past my nearest cinema on the bus just to get to the better experience. If the sanitary bin contractor could be persuaded to move their bins out of the wheelchair spaces in the toilets of the main shopping centre, the overall experience would be better for increased accessibility. Personally, I can manage but there are others who need the space clear for side transfer. A review of the emergency cords needs to be undertaken as some are in a position where they are likely to be caught accidentally & some others tied up or cut short. Overall, Bluewater is a good centre for shopping & cinema with the added bonus of a nature trail, all easily accessible. The only reason for giving it 3.5 rather than a higher rating is the lack of thought given to keeping the toilets as accessible as they could be.