(In)accessibility Issues in Meadowhell

Bonny · 31-08-2007, 23:17

The disabled and parent/baby parking bays in the Blue car park at Meadowhell are positioned to access Debenhams ground floor - there's no other access points into the centre in that area (as far as i'm aware of) so why are there no automatic doors to access Debenhams/the centre?

Why is there two sets of doors close together which are difficult to open making access to the store/centre extremely difficult?

Once inside, many of the shopping areas are also very difficult to access. The gaps between display stands are too narrow to get between and manouvre around.

What can be done about it?

happyhippy · 31-08-2007, 23:35

I think Plain Talker might have some words about this one

.

blue-kat · 01-09-2007, 09:23

I use the entrance by M&S there's a automatic door there. Agree the M'hall re a bit stingy on automatic doors and lifts, especially as they are heavily used by pram users as well. There's always queues.

I've tried complaining about narrow displays etc. I had to do a 7 point turn on scooter to get to the checkout at M&S, even the staff complain on behalf of disabled customers to no avail. They also stack the wire baskets really highoutside the store lifts, which make it really hard ot reverse out of the lift. no sight line. I complained but nothing's changed.

I rarely shop at M'hall, the access in many town centre shops in often better !

duckweed · 01-09-2007, 12:50

I find Crystal Peaks is much better to get round.

mrseggy · 01-09-2007, 13:50

I always find M&S shocking everything is just squeezed together, im not a wheel chair user, but i have young toddler so i obviously take the buggy, i find it really difficult to navigate a pushchair around so god knows how a wheel chair users manage.

Dozy · 02-09-2007, 22:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrseggy

I always find M&S shocking everything is just squeezed together, im not a wheel chair user, but i have young toddler so i obviously take the buggy, i find it really difficult to navigate a pushchair around so god knows how a wheel chair users manage.

With a great deal of difficulty! Steering isn't exactly my strong point, so when I'm shoving ma-in-law round M & S it can get quite traumatic.

I wouldn't mind, but the access to the lifts are also pretty cluttered - which makes life particularly difficult at the moment with them having one of the few lifts that are working at the Hell.

If I want to look at something, I usually end up leaving her parked in an aisle, while I shoot in for a quite gander. But once I got thoroughly fed up and just pushed past a whole load of duvet covers or pillows or something that they'd piled up on the floor - they went everywhere and I had ma-in-law tut tutting like a bloody budgie. I just told her (quite loudly!) "It's there own fault, they shouldnt block access for wheelchairs". Strangely enough, nobody came up to me to remonstrate.

I've also "accidentally" knocked stuff about in other shops - but nothing breakable that I might to pay for!

honeyb35 · 04-09-2007, 13:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dozy

With a great deal of difficulty! Steering isn't exactly my strong point, so when I'm shoving ma-in-law round M & S it can get quite traumatic.

I wouldn't mind, but the access to the lifts are also pretty cluttered - which makes life particularly difficult at the moment with them having one of the few lifts that are working at the Hell.

If I want to look at something, I usually end up leaving her parked in an aisle, while I shoot in for a quite gander. But once I got thoroughly fed up and just pushed past a whole load of duvet covers or pillows or something that they'd piled up on the floor - they went everywhere and I had ma-in-law tut tutting like a bloody budgie. I just told her (quite loudly!) "It's there own fault, they shouldnt block access for wheelchairs". Strangely enough, nobody came up to me to remonstrate.

I've also "accidentally" knocked stuff about in other shops - but nothing breakable that I might to pay for!

LOL i've done that too! not with a wheelchair, with the pram, but i've had 3 kids, so 3 prams and i still struggle and cant steer properly!
My son gets his wheelchair very soon, I hate to think what I'll be like trying to steer that lol

Plain Talker · 04-09-2007, 17:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dozy

With a great deal of difficulty! Steering isn't exactly my strong point, so when I'm shoving ma-in-law round M & S it can get quite traumatic.

I wouldn't mind, but the access to the lifts are also pretty cluttered - which makes life particularly difficult at the moment with them having one of the few lifts that are working at the Hell.

If I want to look at something, I usually end up leaving her parked in an aisle, while I shoot in for a quite gander. But once I got thoroughly fed up and just pushed past a whole load of duvet covers or pillows or something that they'd piled up on the floor - they went everywhere and I had ma-in-law tut tutting like a bloody budgie. I just told her (quite loudly!) "It's there own fault, they shouldnt block access for wheelchairs". Strangely enough, nobody came up to me to remonstrate.

I've also "accidentally" knocked stuff about in other shops - but nothing breakable that I might to pay for!

I know exactly what you mean, Dozy, I have complained endlessly to M&S about the shocking-bad access to the lifts in Mad-as-hell. If things havent improved by the next time I have to endure that hell-hole, I shall be taking it further. (can you say DDA? lol)

I detest the place. With a vengeance.

I usually only go there under protest.

I tend to know which shops I am heading for, go straight there, make my purchases, and head the heck out of there asap!!! lol

green-veggie · 04-09-2007, 20:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by Plain Talker

I detest the place. With a vengeance.

I usually only go there under protest.

I tend to know which shops I am heading for, go straight there, make my purchases, and head the heck out of there asap!!! lol

ITA Plain Talker. I remember when it was being developed, many years ago, I thought it would be a wonderful experience for wheelchair users. But now I feel totally overshadowed and overwhelmed by it all - even a bit vulnerable at times.

Dozy · 05-09-2007, 15:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by Plain Talker

.... I detest the place. With a vengeance.

I usually only go there under protest. ....

Me, too! Unfortunately, I have to go there (under protest) every dratted week, as ma in law loves to get out and there aren't that many places around that (a) the Mobility Bus goes to (b) are under cover so I don't have to worry about rain and (c) relatively flat - though I do wonder why they couldn't get it completely flat

It might not be much of a slope, but you certainly notice it shoving 11 and a half stone in a wheelchair

Bonny · 05-09-2007, 21:47

Well I've complained to staff in Debenhams three times now so I guess it's time to put something in writing to them and the Meadowhell management.

At least in M&S you can park in the designated bays and get through the door into Meadowhell - but trying to get around the store is a 'mare.

barnsleybroker · 06-09-2007, 07:28

Meadowhall is owned by British Land. When claiming discrimination under the DDA, the courts look at what is "reasonable adjustment", and the size and financial resources of the organisation play a big part in what is "reasonable". In my humble opinion, British Land are wide open to all sorts of reasonable adjustment claims - their pre-tax profits for 2006-7 were £1,270 MILLION!

page 5 here http://www.britishland.com/images/Br...007FINAL_0.pdf

So for example, if you need a hoist to use the toilet, you cannot use Meadowhall, and I think people would have a good claim under the DDA for unlawful discrimination on this point. It only costs about £60,000 to build a fully accessible toilet and changing facility.

jubby · 19-09-2007, 12:17

I was doing a book on accessible Sheffield but it's currently on hold due to the floods - allowing time for the shops to get back on their feet and then christmas.

Should be ready for release next year - more information on my thread here

http://www.sheffieldforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=169276

Yellowrose · 19-09-2007, 15:47

I await the book with interest. I have given up on meadowhell. My husband does the big shop and I have worked out other ways to get stuff eg mail order, ebay or just going to certain shops one at a time where I have rehearsed the parking scenarios. We have joked about a huge family pram for husband to push all three of us about in ...