5.3.9 Visitor Facilities and Access

CONSERVATION FRAMEWORK

5.3.9 VISITOR FACILITIES AND ACCESS

See also:

5.3.8 Operations, management and use

5.3.10 Interpretation

5.3.12 Landscape and setting

5.3.13 Research and understanding HERITAGE CONSIDERATIONS

The Equality Act 2010, includes a requirement to do what is ‘reasonably possible’ to provide an equal experience to all. This legislation holds equal weight to listed building or Ecclesiastical Exemption legislation. Chapter is committed to providing inclusive, universal access.

The potential impact on significance and historic fabric means it is not always possible to integrate access into the architecture and interpretation of a building. For example, steps were an important part of Spence’s original design intent for the Cathedral.

Following the change management process will allow sensitive design approaches to balance the need for access against any negative impact on significance and heritage fabric. VULNERABILITIES AND CONFLICTS

Thought has been given to improving inclusive access in the past; however, improvements to access have not been undertaken as part of an overall plan for access across the entire site.

• Many of the more historic spaces, such as the ruined cathedral chapels and the tower, are not accessible to those with mobility issues.

• Whilst there is step-free access into the ruin, the steep steps into the porch are a physical barrier between the two buildings.

• The new cathedral is particularly problematic for visitors, with no appropriate lift into the undercroft spaces. This should be dealt with in the proposed work in 2020 which will include a new lift.

• There is no accessible WC in the ruined cathedral. There are very few WCs in the new cathedral that are open to the public and additional toilets under the porch are not in use.

• The steps into the Chapel of Industry and Christ the Servant are particularly difficult for people with reduced mobility. The contrasting light level moving from dark to light can also create difficulties. The Chapel of Unity steps and ramp are also problematic.

• Acoustics in the nave cause issues for deaf and hearingimpaired visitors.

• The large, open nature of the nave makes it difficult to navigate for the blind and partially sighted.

CONSERVATION FRAMEWORK

• Barriers to intellectual access include the ‘fear of crossing the threshold’, different languages and different cultural backgrounds.

• Signage and wayfinding are currently poor and routes around the site are not obvious.

• There is no step-free access to the High Altar, from where the best views of the Cathedral’s windows are available.

• The current lighting scheme is not effective, and staff are not trained in its use.

• Vehicles parked and loading in the porch negatively impact upon the ability for visitors to access the new cathedral.

• There is limited car parking for disabled visitors.

• Access for maintenance, for example to the roof, is dangerous.

Items are stored on the stairs and a clip on, clip off harness system for high level work. Access for maintenance is an important issue which is currently not meeting the required health and safety standards. Improvements are limited by the substantial financial costs involved in altering existing systems.

Some areas are no longer accessible as safety standards have changed, rendering these places too dangerous to access.

• Whilst there is level access to the refectory the spacing of the tables make access difficult for anyone with impaired mobility. The disparate nature of the site, spread as it is across two structures, occasionally necessitates a duplication of visitor facilities and services, resulting in additional cost and potential harm to historic fabric and/or other significances. The shop, for example, is located at the new cathedral welcome desk and also at the base of the tower in the ruined cathedral with limited opening hours. The refectory is very popular for its `nostalgic British’ character but perhaps more could be done to create a tangible link between the café offer and the mission of the Cathedral. Income generation could also be improved within the café. There are no appropriate facilities for external caterers to service large events. This may necessitate a review of the lease.

POTENTIAL FOR CHANGE

Welcome and hospitality is a key feature of the mission of Coventry Cathedral and could be enhanced by improving access and visitor facilities, by incorporating this into interpretation. Improving the offer and welcome will also likely increase visitors’ propensity to donate and increase dwell time.

The recommendations in the recently commissioned Access Audit should now start to be implemented and discussion should focus on where there is conflict with significance. The best approach to integrating physical interventions for accessibility will seek to find bold and innovative solutions where more traditional options have failed. Temporary, moveable ramps, for example, are unsightly and inappropriate, but high-quality solutions such as stone steps that turn into ramps, or hidden lifts could be considered. A conservation principle that should be applied to the Cathedral is a gradated approach to accessibility. A study should be made to identify those spaces that must be made accessible to all, followed by those where inclusive access is a preference and those where the impact on the visitor would be much less if they cannot access the space. This could also inform a phased approach to change, starting with the key spaces. Key spaces might include the High Altar, Quire, Chapel of Unity and the section of Spence’s Route between the ruined cathedral and the new cathedral.

The visitor offer in St Michael’s Hall could be improved by extending the exhibition space into the chapter house and opening up the historical spaces to visitors. Improvements to wayfinding would also support visitors’ ability to locate facilities and orientate themselves in the Cathedral.

Opportunities to improve and add new visitor facilities could include:

• Open up the ruined cathedral, undercroft and chapels to visitors.

• Consolidate the shops within a single space, possibly within the St Clare’s bookshop.

• Lighting and acoustics should be improved in the ruined and new cathedrals.

• Restrictions on vehicular access along St Michael’s Avenue should be considered.

CONSERVATION FRAMEWORK

• Consider the possibilities for removing the railings outside the west end of the new cathedral and resiting them to restrict vehicular traffic but not pedestrians.

• Consider the installation of a new glass porch at the west end of the new cathedral to allow the doors in the screen to be used every day.

• The form and function of the song school and refectory should be considered as part of improvements to the visitor offer. MANAGEMENT POLICIES

POLICY 28: Regularly review the visitor welcome and associated facilities to ensure these meet current needs and are in sympathy with the mission of the Cathedral.

POLICY 29: Seek to improve intellectual access as part of improved interpretation and as part of an access audit.

POLICY 30: Ensure improvements to physical access are carried out as part of recommendations in the access audit and management strategy.

POLICY 31: Bold and innovative solutions to improving access may be required to balance this against any harm to significance.

POLICY 32: Improve access for safe maintenance, particularly at high-level. PRIORITY ACTIONS

Action

Identify key spaces were access is essential and use this to phase a programme of alterations.

Review the heating and lighting systems at the Cathedral and seek improvements.

Discuss solutions to steps, stairs and accessibility as a priority. Consider bold, bespoke or technological solutions to ensure a highquality response.

Carry out a space audit to determine what additional spaces may be added to the visitor routes Priority level Owner

B Cathedral Architect

A Cathedral Architect

B Cathedral Architect

C Interpretation manager

Priority levels: A – within 6 months, B – within 1 year, C – within 2 years