Accessibility at SPARK

accessibility

We have worked with AccessAble so you can find out about our facilities before you visit. AccessAble’s surveyors assessed our venue to create a Detailed Access Guide.

If you have any specific access requirements, please don’t hesitate to speak to a member of staff who will be more than happy to assist you.

About

This is a community hub venue.
Facilities available in the venue include: café, eating places, kids play area, event space, coworking space.
View information on opening times

Parking and Public Transport

The venue does not have its own car park.
There is a public car park nearby.
The nearest train station is York.
There are numerous nearby bus stops with First Bus, Arriva, East Yorkshire, York & Country/Coastliner and Connexions services all frequently stopping. Our nearest Park & Ride is the Grimston Bar service operated by First Bus.
For the latest travel options and information you can plan your travel using Google Maps (opens new tab).

Getting In and Around

There is step-free access via ramp at the most accessible entrance.
There is step-free level access throughout, this may include the use of a lift.
Access throughout may include uneven surfaces.
Lower and upper levels can be accessed via a platform lift and stairs.
The following facilities are available: a seat/chair and a water bowl for assistance dogs.
Additional facilities/services include: phone charging points and Wi-Fi.
Staff receive the following training: disability awareness training, site managers are first aid trained and evacuation protocols.

Toilet and Changing Facilities

There are 2 toilets with adaptations.
Toilets with adaptations are located on the lower and upper levels.
The gender neutral step-free toilet facilities are located on upper and lower levels.
Parent and baby changing facilities are located in the toilet with adaptations.

Entrance

This entrance is located at the front of the building.
There is step-free access via ramp at the entrance.
The ramp is over 150cm wide with a handrail on the right going up.
The ramp is very steep.
The width of the opening is 488cm.
There is step-free level access as you enter.

Getting Around

There is step-free level access throughout the majority of areas, this may include the use of a lift.
The following areas have step-free access via ramps or slopes: the entrance, toilet blocks.
The following areas have stepped access: some seating areas.
Access throughout may include uneven surfaces, narrow walkways and bollards.

Lift

The lift surveyed is located centrally located near the stairs just past the first block of shops after entering.
The journey time to this lift from the entrance is approximately 1 minute.
The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access.
The lower level and upper level are accessed by this lift.
The lift door opening width is 101cm.
None of the internal lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
Internally the lift has: a separate door to exit.
There is a steep ramp to enter on the lower floor.

Stairs (Front of Building)

The stairs surveyed are located near the front entrance.
The lower level and upper level can be accessed by these stairs.
There are 18 steps between floors which are marked and have handrails on both sides.

Stairs (Rear of Building)

The stairs surveyed are located at the rear of the building.
The lower level and upper level can be accessed by these stairs.
There are 18 steps between floors which are marked and have handrails on both sides.

Seating Area (Lower Level)

The seating area is located throughout the lower level.
The most accessible route to the seating area has step-free level access and uneven surfaces.
There is step-free level access throughout the seating area.
There is some room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
There is space for an assistance dog to rest.
Seating available in this area includes: benches.
Furniture available in this area includes: picnic tables.
There is background noise in this area.

Seating Area (Upper Level)

The seating area is located throughout the upper level.
The most accessible route to the seating area has step-free level access and a platform lift.
There is step-free level access throughout the majority of areas.
The following areas have stepped access: some seating areas have a very small step.
There is some room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
There is space for an assistance dog to rest.
Seating available in this area includes: benches.
Furniture available in this area includes: picnic tables.
There is background noise in this area.

Location and Access

The toilet surveyed is located in the toilet block on the lower level, at the back of the building.
The most accessible route to the toilet has a step and doors permanently held open.
There is stepped access into the facility.
There is 1 step which is unmarked with no handrails.
There is pictorial, written text and ‘Not All Disabilities Are Visible’ signage on or near the door.
The door opens inwards.
The width of the door opening is 84cm.
The door has a sliding bolt lock.

Dimensions and Features

There is not room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
There is not a lateral transfer space next to the toilet.
There is a push button flush on top of the cistern.
There is a horizontal grab rail on the left as you face the toilet.
There are vertical grab rails on both sides of the toilet.
There is no dropdown rail for the toilet.
The toilet seat is 43cm from the floor.
There is a wall mounted toilet roll holder, a wash basin, a wall mounted soap dispenser and a hand dryer available.
The wash basin has a push tap.
There are no vertical grab rails at the wash basin.
There is a pull cord emergency alarm within 10cm from the floor.
The cubicle has a waste bin, a nappy/incontinence items bin and a sanitary bin.
Additional features include: a mirror and a coat hook.
The coat hook is at a height of 169cm.
The main door into the toilet block is 77cm wide.

Location and Access

The toilet surveyed is located in the toilet block on the upper level, towards the front of the building.
The most accessible route to the toilet has a platform lift, a step and manual doors.
There is stepped access into the facility.
There is 1 step which is unmarked with no handrails.
There is pictorial, written text and ‘Not All Disabilities Are Visible’ signage on or near the door.
The door opens inwards.
The width of the door opening is 80cm.
The door has a sliding bolt lock.

Dimensions and Features

There is not room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
There is a lateral transfer space to the left as you face the toilet.
The lateral transfer space is 70cm (from the side of the toilet pan to the wall).
There is a spatula flush on the non-transfer side.
There is no horizontal grab rail for the toilet.
There is no vertical grab rail for the toilet.
There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
The toilet seat is 48cm from the floor.
There is a wall mounted toilet roll holder, a wash basin, a wall mounted soap dispenser and a hand dryer available.
The wash basin has a twist turn mixer tap.
The vertical grab rail is on the left as you face the wash basin.
There is a pull cord emergency alarm within 10cm from the floor.
The cubicle has a waste bin and a sanitary bin.
Additional features include: a mirror and a coat hook.
The coat hook is at a height of 179cm.
The outer toilet door into the toilet block is 78cm wide.

Room (Spark Studios Show)

The room is located on the upper level at the rear left of the building.
The most accessible route to the room has a platform lift, uneven surfaces and narrow walkways.
There is written text signage on or near the door.
There is stepped access into the room.
There is 1 step which is unmarked with no handrails.
There are double manual doors which open away from you.
The width of the opening is 163cm.
There is step-free level access throughout the room.
There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
There is space for an assistance dog to rest.
Seating available in the room includes: chairs with armrests and chairs without armrests.
There is not a hearing assistance system.
There is background noise in this area which varies depending on the function/event .

Room (Coworking Space)

The room is located at the rear left of the building, next to the toilet block.
The most accessible route to the room has a step, uneven surfaces and narrow walkways.
There is written text signage on or near the door.
There is stepped access into the room.
There is 1 step which is unmarked with no handrails.
There are double manual doors which open away from you.
One of the doors was locked at the time of the survey.
The width of the opening is 91cm.
There is step-free level access throughout the room.
Furniture can be moved to enable a manoeuvring space for a wheelchair user (150cm x 150cm).
There is space for an assistance dog to rest.
Seating available in the room includes: chairs without armrests, armchairs, sofas and high stools.
Furniture available in the room includes: high tables and desks.
There is not a hearing assistance system.
There is background noise in this room.

We're currently building our Accessibility Guide for Summer Season 2025 We're getting ready to take off our roof and to have a fresh look for the Summer season. A new guide will be available from when we reopen on Friday 25th April.

Source: AccessAble

Our website also allows people with various physical and cognitive challenges to access and enjoy our site using assistive technologies. By clicking the little person icon at the bottom of your screen, users can access essential accessibility options, including contrast adjustments, text resizing, and other tools to enhance on-site usability.

If you have any suggestions as to how we can improve accessibility to meet any individual’s needs, then please don’t hesitate to get in touch at the email below.

[email protected]

It’s our aim to make Spark York a place for all!