Overview

I visited to be interviewed by Channel 5 News about the emergency red cords in accessible toilets. However, there are other businesses occupying 200 Gray's Inn Road, so a lot of this review pertains to the building in general, which is a 10 storey modern, atrium office block building designed by Foster and Partners. Overall, I found it very assessible and the staff were extremely helpful and friendly. Kindly note, this building is not a public building, it is an office block for employees and invited visitors, and members of the public can't just pop in for a look around.

Transport & Parking

Excellent. The nearest step free tube station is King's Cross and from there you can take the bus number 17 or 46 from outside the station and it stops virtually outside the building. Chancery Lane is the nearest tube station but it does not have step free access and there are steps from the ticket hall to street level.

Access

It is step free from the street into the building. There are 2 automatic doors. When I first arrived I only noticed 1 and it was closed and there was a taped barrier behind it showing that it was not in use. There were also 2 revolving doors, which at a low level had a blue button with a wheelchair symbol, which when pressed slowed down the revolving mechanism for the door. This was the first time I had come across it, I loved it. It would be great if more building installed this mechanism at often the doors revolve too quickly for me and my crutch. Inside there were 3 shallow steps to the reception and foyer area with no handrails and also a permanent ramp. The reception was all at one level. In the foyer was seating with a variety of styles of chairs and tables. To enter the main building you had to go through a barrier system but there was also a side gate which I used. Inside there is a tall, central glass atrium with offices/ studios on each floor which are accessible by lifts. I can't remember which floor I was on but my entire access was step free. I was interviewed on the balcony of one of the atrium floors so I am unable to comment about how any of the offices/ studios look.

Toilets

I don't know which floor I was on but I visited the accessible toilet. This involved using 2 manual doors, one into the short corridor where the toilets were located and the accessible toilet door. The toilet was clean, spacious and refreshingly clutter free. There were plenty of grab rails. However, the red cord did not quite reach the floor and there was a noticeable gap. I attached a red cord card to it.

Staff

All the staff were helpful. The people in the reception area and desk were welcoming and helpful. I was I interviewed by Liam O'Dell and also met Simon Vigar and the camera man whose name I can't remember. They were all so lovely, put me at ease, very friendly, checked if I needed anything. The team is very committed to raising awareness around disability rights and accessibility. It was a really good experience. Thank you. They are going to raise the issue of the short red cords in the accessible toilet, so this can be improved.

Anything else you wish to tell us?

As I mentioned above there are several organisations in the building and access around the building is excellent and step free. I would be very happy to visit again.

Photos