DDA Audit - Coombe Abbey Hotel

• Posted by Ian Eggleton on 4th May ’10 at 09:19 BST
• 0 comments

DDA Audit Case Study of Grade I Listed Coombe Abbey

As part of a project working with the Visit Heart of England tourist Board Evans Jones completed an Access Audit of Coombe Abbey Hotel, near Coventry. The Hotel is housed in a 12th Century Cistercian Abbey part of which is Grade I listed.



Of particular note in this setting were the very low light levels. These resulted in a very challenging environment for a visually impaired customer as building features become increasingly difficult to discern as light levels decrease.

Light levels are kept low as the hotel is trying to create a unique atmosphere consistent with the original Abbey setting and the low lighting is used very deliberately throughout.

In normal circumstances we would simply have recommended that light levels be increased throughout but it was felt that this would change the nature of the service and completely change the nature of the setting.

We devised an alternative approach which involved the upgrading of light levels to key features such as stairs allied to the provision of trained assistance to visually impaired customers. This allowed the hotel to maintain the nature of its service to all customers whilst limiting any negative impact on visually impaired customers

This was aided by the high level of customer service already offered by the hotel.

This demonstrates the flexible approach that can be adopted when considering the requirements of the DDA which is not prescriptive and simply requires service providers to make reasonable adjustments.

Evans Jones have completed DDA Audits of a number of historic building such as; Ragley Hall, Warwickshire; Pittville Pump Rooms, Cheltenham and Usk Castle. .

Click on the link to read more about DDA Audits or contact me by email or phone on 01242 531413.