Overview

Like an old shoe which overtime you come to appreciate. It just fits, feels comfortable and is a first port of call. I will admit that in the early days, I wasn't a fan of the shopping centre. However, as time has moved on, I have come to like shopping in the St. James for several reasons. Once again it's time to pop to the shops and I thought I would explain a little more about why I like the St James Quarter; know affectionately as "St James" by many. As a wheelchair user, having smooth surfaces where you simply glide along as though you're on an ice rink is an amazing experience. With very little effort or exertion required to wheel gently pass those shop front windows and take in the amazing displays and views. This effortless transit is supported by the knowledge that there are several lifts and they all work well. The favourite has of course got to be the jazzy lift that's tucked away in the corner and has this disco tech like lighting effect as you move between floors but I'll leave it to you to discover. We all know that toilets are one of those essential things when you're out and about and when you want to spend time shopping. After all, you spend so much time looking at things and exploring that good loos becomes one of those essentials. St. James works well in that there are several accessible toilets and the icing on the cake comes with the amazing Changing Places Toilet down on level one. The Centre is one of those places where you can do so many things in that there is leisure, shopping, eating, or just the pure luxury of browsing without having to think about heavy doors, obstructive steps, or that challenge of negotiating those narrow shop displays as you live in fear of knocking the china teapot onto the floor, as you pass through the ceramics displays.

Transport & Parking

Transport and parking at the Saint James Quarter is well catered for in that you have simply so many options. There aren't that many shopping centres that literally have a bus station next door so buses are well catered for. Edinburgh’s now 10 year year-old tramline also stops at both ends of the shopping centre in so far as there's a tram stop in Picardy Place and a tram stop in Saint Andrew Square. Both a short distance from the entrances to the shopping centre. You can park in the car parking areas of the shopping centre where they have numerous accessible parking bays which are linked with lifts to the many floors of the St James Quarter. It's never a problem finding the blue badge space here!

Access

I've already said quite a lot about the access, but I think it's important to flag up what it feels like in terms of accessibility. At the Saint James Quarter you can, if you want, use the “welcome app” which allows you to pre-book your visit and make arrangements for any access requirements you may have. 

The customer service desk folks are very helpful if you have enquiries, want to borrow a wheelchair or indeed a scooter. The general cleanliness of the centre is also something to be congratulated as it's typically spotless. The provision of good signage, accessible toilets, lovely surfaces to wheel om, and friendly staff all make for a great shopping and entertainment experience.

Toilets

The centre has several accessible toilets in so far as there are some toilets within the stores and there are also the shopping centre’s own toilets. The choice of toilets also includes a Changing Places Toilet down on level one. The shopping centre’s toilets have radar locks on the doors and are large, easy to manoeuvre in, very spacious and spotlessly clean.

Staff

The staff I have met have always been very friendly and very helpful. It makes it feel like a very safe and welcoming place to go shopping.

Photos