Hotels & B&Bs Self Assessment
Accessibility NotesAccess Statement For The Firs Guesthouse
Introduction
The Firs is a large stone-built detached property situated at the top of the bank in the picturesque coastal village of Runswick Bay. A family run guesthouse offering Dinner, Bed & Breakfast with various room accommodation sizes on the ground floor and first floor levels. All rooms are en-suite and 4 ground floorrooms have wet room en-suites suitable for wheelchair users or those with mobility difficulties. We aim to make your stay with us as enjoyable and as comfortable as we can and will try to assist you in any way we can in order to achieve this objective.
Pre-Arrival
• Enquiries can be made over the internet via our website or by phone, e-mail and fax.
• Bookings are taken via e-mail, phone or post and confirmations are sent via post, this includes a map and detailed directions of how to find us. The web site also provides a locator map which can be enlarged to any size.
• Runswick Bay has an hourly bus service from Whitby which takes approximately 30 mins and Middlesbrough which by bus is 1hour 20 mins.
• Accessible taxi services are available in the area.
• Mobility scooters are available to hire from the local business centre in Staithes which is situated on the gateway car park and other equipment is available in Whitby.
Arrival & Car Parking Facilities
• The Firs has a level tarmac parking area at the front of the house with marked spaces for 10 Vehicles
• 2 Disabled parking spaces are to the side of the house and are signed.
• Ramp access from the front and from the side.
• Side access is suggested for wheelchair users. This ramp has a turning circle at the top and bottom and ramp access directly into the building.
• Further car parking spaces are available around the well and gateways.
• The car parking is clearly lit on an evening.
• Assistance is on hand for baggage and luggage.
Main Entrance & Reception
• The main entrance has both steps and ramp access with handrails.
• On check-in arrival all guests are given keys to the side door.
• The front main entrance has double doors which are only open when reception is manned 8.30am - 2.00pm, 4.00pm - 9.00pm.and access is gained through ringing the lighted door bell.
• Seating is available in the reception area whilst checking in or out.
• All guests are given a tour of the public rooms, explanations of facilities offered and meal times and are then escorted to their room.
• The whole of the ground floor is level and all doors are wide enough for wheelchair access.
• Contrast colours are used for walls, door and skirting.
Public Areas - General (Internal)
• All public areas are on the ground floor.
• Floor coverings are predominately carpet however the lounge and dinning room have wooden surround floors with large rugs.
• Lighting in public areas can be altered in the evenings but during the day large windows supply natural light.
• All doors are wooden fire doors fitted with automatic closers and have a combination of yale and mortice locks.
• Emergency lighting with illuminated signs are fitted in the public areas, corridors and stairs to the first floor.
Public Areas - WC
• Gents and Ladies toilets are situated to the side of reception on the ground floor and are wheelchair accessible.
Restaurant / Dining Room, Bar & Lounges, Take Away & Cafe
• All meals are served in the dinning room and meal times are explained at check-in and are also available in large print within the guest information pack placed in each room.
• Tables and seating are all moveable and 'carver' chairs are available for people who need extra support or lift.
• Table sizes and style vary and all tables are able to accommodate wheelchair seating.
• Breakfast menus are printed on large Arial print format whilst dinner menu is written on blackboards. Staff are always available at meal times to help with understanding the menu, if needed.
• All diets can be catered for, we use wherever possible local fresh produce and therefore can accommodate any kind of allergy or special diet...
Shop
• Not available in Runswick Bay the nearest Post office and General store is 1 mile in Hinderwell.
Outdoor Facilities
• Large terrace with outdoor furniture ramped access onto York stone flags.
• Well lit on a night
Bedrooms
• There are 11 letting rooms, 6 on the ground floor and 5 on the first floor.
• There are 4 ground floor rooms (1 Twin and 3 Double) with wet room en-suite suitable for wheelchair users or mobility difficulties. The two other ground floor (I triple and 1 Double ) rooms are suitable for those with mobility difficulties, whilst the first floor rooms (2 family, 1 triple, 1 double and 1 Twin) are accessed by one flight of stairs to a half landing then 4 steps to the main corridor. All rooms have hospitality trays, a TV, radio/alarm clock, hairdryer, direct dial telephone system with a 24 hours emergency in house contact number, Mobile alarm bell is available on request. All phones, TVs and plug points are of accessible height. All rooms are thermostacilly controlled from
within the room and all have 'kick' emergency windows. All bedding and soft furnishings are non-allergenic anti allergy. All rooms have seating whether this be sofas or arm chairs. All bedrooms are non-smoking. Pets are allowed in some rooms.
Bathroom, Shower-room & WC [Ensuite or Shared]
• All rooms are en-suite the larger family rooms have a full bath and shower en-suite, triples have hip bath with shower or shower and double or twins have shower en-suites. All flooring within the en-suites is either non-slip tiling or non-slip linoleum.
All doors open out of the bathroom and lighting switches are on the out side. There are no internal locks on the inside of the family en-suites. The wet room en-suites are equipped with grab rails next to the toilet and within the shower area.
Showers are electric and are controlled by the user. Wet room taps are lever and shower seats are available on request.
Additional Information
• All our staff are trained in first aid and we have on site permanently an emergency first aid instructor.
• Key members of staff are trained in manual handling.
• Key members of staff also hold health and hygiene certificates and have completed welcome line.
• Fridge space is available for medication
• We have a full fire alarm system, extinguishers and procedures of evacuation if needed.
• Hours of operation: April -Nov
• Emergency number: In House ext 333
We welcome your feedback to help us continuously improve if you have any comments please phone or email.
Parking
Designated parking for guests with disabilities
Within 50 metres approx. of entrance
Drop-off point for guests outside entrance
Route from the parking area to the entrance:
Surface of the car park and pathway leading to entrance is
Solid ie tarmac / concrete etc
Entrance
Bell at main entrance
Entrance well lit
Ramp to entrance
Steps to the main entrance
Handrail by steps
Number of steps to entrance4
Public Areas
Clear surfaces such as glass doors have contrast markings
Good contrast between the floor and wall
Guest information available in large print (14pt and over)
Level access (no steps/thresholds) or access by ramp or lift to:
Entrance to reception
Lounge
One or more bedrooms
Dining
Good contrast between the floor and walls
Level access (no steps/thresholds) or access by ramp or lift
Meals for guests with special dietary requirements can be provided:
Additive free
Gluten free (coeliac)
Lactose free (dairy free)
Low potassium
Low sodium
Nut free
Organic
Sugar free (diabetic)
Vegan
Vegetarian
Menus available in large print (14pt and over)
Bedrooms
Bath with support handrails available
Bathrooms available that have been specially adapted for wheelchair users
Bathrooms available with:
Bath
Bath with shower
Separate shower unit
Wet room
Bedroom furniture can be re-arranged if requested by guest
Bedroom with non-allergenic bedding available
Bedrooms available with en suite bathrooms suitable for guests who use a wheelchair
Separate shower unit with fixed shower seat or shower chair available
Separate shower unit with support handrails available
WCs with handrails available
General
Emergency evacuation procedures for guests with disabilities
Proprietors/staff available 24-hours
This information is self-assessed; therefore we accept no liability for its accuracy. Please contact the venue for further information.
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