Overview

The architects who saved and transformed the former North British Rubber Company building in Fountainbridge definitely took the needs of wheelchair users into account. This is a stylish, accessible space with friendly staff and a great cafe.

Transport & Parking

Can't comment on the parking. Fountainbridge is well-served by buses - Lothian buses numbers 1, 34, 35 and Skyline 300 to and from the city centre stop nearby. The pavements outside the building (not the responsibility of Edinburgh Printmakers) are a disgrace. Time City of Edinburgh Council did something about the approaches to what deserves to be an important attraction for residents and tourists.

Access

The outer double doors were open and locked back into position when we arrived. The inner doors are automatic (push buttons at wheelchair user height both outside and inside). The one pair of internal double doors we encountered could also be pushed back into an open position. The circulating spaces in the shop, the exhibition areas and the cafe are very good. The lift is enormous, and we noted that the buttons had braille numbering on them. The lift reaches all the public levels of the building and there is plenty of manoeuvring space for wheelchair users approaching the lift and exiting from it. There are no intermediate steps on any level. The courtyard and garden are also wheelchair accessible. We weren't sure how accessible the building would be, so visited using the manual chair. We saw other visitors in power chairs and we shall use the power chair next time we come.

Toilets

There's one accessible loo on the cafe level, which we used, and the signage indicated that there is another in the basement and also an accessible shower. The loo on the cafe level is well-equipped with grab rails, and approachable washbasin and Dyson hand-dryer. The alarm cord was looped round one of the grab rails by the toilet, so not quite reaching the ground, so we remedied that. Our only comments would be that a wheelchair user wanting to side transfer would first have to move a large litter bin, and that Wheelchair Girl found the loo roll dispenser hard to reach. Otherwise excellent.

Staff

Friendly, welcoming, helpful and enthusiastic. They clearly take a great pride in the building and in their work. The reception staff explained where the exhibition spaces are and pointed out the lift. It's table service in the cafe, and the staff were very attentive and helpful.

Anything else you wish to tell us?

The main exhibit at present is by a German artist, Thomas Kilpper. He's turned the floor into a kind of gigantic linocut (actually not lino but, appropriately, rubber) and the people represented include Sean Connery (born just across the road and portrayed so that nothing is left to your imagination), Donald Trump and Nigel Farage (with rats on their shoulders} Theresa May next to the word "Anarchy", Angela Merkl, Samuel Beckett, Johnny Rotten, local people who worked in the rubber factory and the Fountainbridge breweries and many more. A fabric print of this carving hangs from the ceiling and prints of some details on the end wall. The cafe is splendid. Wheelchair Girl enjoyed poached eggs and the Accompanist had the best bacon roll of his six decades of bacon roll connoisseurship. We'll certainly be back soon and want to congratulate everyone concerned on bringing this fine building into the 21st century with a new creative purpose.

Photos