Building Accessibility Statement

Introduction 

We at Saffron Sheffield want to be as access friendly as possible. We understand that accurate information is essential to ensure you can make an informed choice. We have written this statement to help you plan your time with us. We hope we have given you all the information you need, but please email us or call 0114 275 2157 if you have any questions.

Arrival

Saffron Sheffield is situated at 289 Abbeydale Road, Sheffield S7 1FJ. There is a large front window and a tree directly in front of the building. 

Buses 75, 76, 87, 97, 98 and 293 go from the Arundel Gate Interchange, stopping at Abbeydale Road/Chippinghouse Road. From there, it is only a few minutes walk to 289 Abbeydale Road. 

Parking is available on the road directly outside the building between 9:30 - 16:00 and after 18:30. Outside of these times, parking is prohibited. You can find alternative parking on side streets, and there is a small, free-of-charge car park on Hale Street. There is a dropped curb outside our building, but this may not always be accessible.

Our building can be approached by a wheelchair access ramp or by steps.

Entrance

We have one main external entrance (door width 90cm) that is illuminated effectively. The door opens inwards but is not power-assisted.

Rooms and Facilities

A staff member will meet you in the reception area and escort you to the appropriate meeting room, opening and closing all doors if needed. All ground floor doors are accessible, and door handles are of contrasting colour. They are fitted between 800-1000mm from the floor. 

We have a professionally installed stair lift up to the first floor and an accessible room. On request, we are available to store and charge wheelchairs for the duration of any visit.

A fully accessible toilet (door width 84cm) is on the ground floor with handrails and a cord alarm. Coloured markings can differentiate between hot and cold taps in this and the first-floor toilet.

Upon your first-time arrival, we will offer a familiarisation tour for the floor/floors you are attending. The tour will highlight potential hazards depending on the visitor's needs, e.g. stairs and approximate steps/distances to travel. Floor layout plans are situated on each floor, and a brief written description of the layout of the building is available on request.

We have a professionally installed induction loop with clear signage on its location and use. Direct face communication and diffused, non-glaring lighting are in place to aid lip readers. The walls are painted in a solid colour to ensure the backgrounds behind the speakers are not distracting. Pen and paper are also available to assist in communication. 

We welcome service dogs into our building.

In the Event of an Emergency

We have evacuation procedures in each corridor and room and have marked fire extinguishers on the floor layout plans. We have placed clear, luminous emergency exit signs throughout the building, and torches are available in all areas in case of a power cut.

In case of a fire, staff will escort visitors to the fire assembly point. 

We will complete a PEEP (Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan) for visitors or staff who require assistance when leaving the building in an emergency. We will consider their particular needs, and where possible, they will be accommodated on the ground floor to aid evacuation procedures.

Further information on accessible facilities, including location, premises layout and building photos, can be provided before arrival upon request.