Overview

This building with exceptional internal features and technology relating to architectural design, with friendly knowledgeable staff is let-down by poor external access.

Transport & Parking

It is very regrettable that this £11M publicly funded project was designed by HES without disabled parking bays or a drop-off facility. Shore Road which runs by the Engine Shed is a narrow ( one lane in places with a chicane ) and busy bus route and even after being dropped off by my wife in Shore Rd, I found the walk around the building to the main entrance, some 60 plus metres to be challenging. There is a disabled parking lay-by on the access road parallel to the railway which is obviously an 'afterthought' by the developers and Stirling Council as it is a considerable distance away and has to compete with train users and patrons of the several adjacent restaurants and cinema. Needless to say such an arrangement does not take account of our Scottish climate. If one was using a motorised chair, access might at a pinch be straightforward, but overall, it is extremely disappointing and disadvantages the disabled, although there are spaces at the building for unloading and a 'pool' car for HES staff........ It is difficult to see how it has complied with the Equality Act.

Access

The single-leaf powered main door provides very good access, but a wheelchair visitor is presented with a reception desk which doesn't have the lowered desk area or knee recess which it should have. If one suffers from a visual impairment, the lack of contrast of the desk and background could be an issue. It is excellent that there are hearing loops to reception and all the main rooms in the building. Staff are also friendly and very helpful. The bench seating opposite reception is a helpful feature, but would be more suitable if they had a back to them. Corridor edge brickwork was somewhat sharp, as was the reception desktop and Catering Hatch surface which would benefit from a rounded edge. Circulation space is excellent with lots of daylight streaming in to supplement the low artificial lighting. Manifestation dots to window areas were a little light in colour and should be darker (we were told that more obvious manifestations were being installed, also better signage to point out key areas and the toilets). Seating where needed would benefit from arms and backs. The Main Hall with its exhibits was excellent, but the ironmongery on the access double doors should be easier to grasp. Similarly, the Theatre is another outstanding asset, it just needs some fixed seats removed to allow wheelchair users a position with friends and family. The Retail Area was prone to shadowing of the books and product on the shelfing; manifestations and edge protectors to protruding edges were missing.

Toilets

This corner accessible WC was good for most users having a good mirror and colour contrasting toilet seat, but there were some obvious omissions or mistakes: - door signage was weak and should have been clearer with recognition for people with dementia - the door closer was a little heavy - the flush handle was not to the centre of the room - there wasn't a colostomy shelf, but we were advised that this was being fitted - the walls were reflective as opposed to being contrasting with the rest of the fittings - all guardrails were bright chrome which gave the room a modern look at the expense of functionality (plastic fluted and colour contrasted is advisable)

Staff

All staff were exceptionally welcoming and friendly, and appeared to accept a number of my comments.

Anything else you wish to tell us?

The Engine Shed should be an asset to Stirling, tourists, anyone visiting, and students attending a course there. Unfortunately, if one has a disability, the overall experience may be spoiled due to the lack of disabled parking. The correspondingly tiring effort to reach and leave the building is so offputting that any return to it is doubtful, and as it stands I am unable to recommend it to any disabled potential visitor.