Overview

Felt reasonably safe with the venue’s COVID precautions. There have probably been a few changes since the previous reviews eg. The building has been extended, and the toilets moved. The garden centre has been taken over by new owners, so in the process of change, one side of the centre had plenty of room for a wheelchair to manoeuvre, whilst the other side was narrow and cluttered in places , and I got stuck several times

Transport & Parking

I went by wheelchair taxi, but ample parking and several dedicated accessible parking spaces near the door The centre is on the main bus route to Dumfries Infirmary

Access

All on the flat, automatic doors throughout, except exiting the café. They have a one way system in place.. As mentioned one side of the centre was quite narrow in places and tight . No seating available for a rest, and the café is quite a walk from the entrance,although there are wheelchairs , a mobility scooter, and trolleys with incorporated seats at the entrance. Signage could have been better regarding the one way system in the café

Toilets

Toilets easy to find, and accessible toilet roomy and fully equipped with rails, cord etc. However just outside the accessible toilet is a strange ridge in the flooring. They have put hazard tape over it to draw attention to it, but I certainly felt a good bump going over it with my powerchair. Feel this could be a trip hazard for those with mobility or visual problems. Hand sanitiser has been placed between the ladies and gents non accessible loos quite high up for wheelchair user

Staff

Staff were fantastic, coping with the stress of a busy lunchtime with their COVID precautions , explained all the procedures, and were very kind and helpful

Anything else you wish to tell us?

Hand sanitising stations throughout, although quite high for wheelchair users One way system and arrows on the floor in centre itself Social distancing guidance at entrance to café and queue for the tills at the exit Café was well organised, it was full when we arrived , and we were given an electronic buzzer with a number on it, so we had a wander round, and they buzzed us when a table was free for us. Hand sanitising station at entrance and exit to/from café. They ask you to log onto their WiFi , and you are shown to your table. Then there’s a card on the table with a code on it, which you scan and it links to their menu, you select and pay online. Tables are spaced well apart and your order is brought to a table which sits next to the one you’re eating at. Unsure what the procedure would be if you didn’t have a smart phone.No arrows on floor or signage noted ,to indicate that you were to observe a one way system and exit via another door. There was a queue at the café entrance when we arrived, but no available seating for anybody queuing to have a rest Staff all wore masks. I would visit again, but feel the café has become very expensive since COVID