Access Statement
This access statement does not contain personal opinions as to our suitability for those with access needs, but aims to accurately describe the facilities and services that we offer all our guests/visitors
The Chequers Pub is located just outside Maidstone, the county town of Kent, and we offer a friendly and welcoming service with an excellent selection of drinks, real ales and meals. Whether you are stopping in for a quick chat with your friends or looking for a place to spend a relaxed and enjoyable evening with your family we are happy to provide the place for you. Our restaurant delivers a blend of international and traditional favourite cuisine with something for everyone and an extensive selection of bar snacks. There are also vegetarian options throughout the menu. We host a band night once a month and a quiz night every Sunday from October to March. There is level access to the pub and a wheelchair accessible toilet for our customers.
We look forward to welcoming you. If you have any queries or require any assistance please phone 01622 743125 or email enquiries to [email protected]
Pre-Arrival
For full details and maps of how to reach us please see the directions section of our website. Alternatively, you can plan your journey by car or public transport using www.transportdirect.info; simply enter your postcode and ours, which is ME15 0BL to get directions.
The nearest railway station is Maidstone East, which is 2.8 miles away. Taxis are available at the station. If you require an accessible taxi this can be booked in advance.
The nearest bus stop is 500m/546yds from our premises (ask the driver to stop for Loose village). All buses can accommodate one wheelchair. The No. 5, 59 and 89 bus runs to and from the town centre to Loose, every 15 mins Monday – Saturday and every 30mins on Sundays.
The main road outside the pub where the main entrance is situated has a narrow pavement that is uneven in places.
Our menu, price lists and this Access Statement are available in larger print on request.
Car Parking and Arrival
There is free parking on all roads around the pub. The car park has three spaces.
The car park surface leading to the side entrance is tarmac with no kerbs.
The car park is well lit at night.
There is a drop off point at the side entrance of the pub.
There are two steps leading to the main entrance and two steps to the side entrance. Only the side entrance has wheelchair access. A portable ramp is available.
The main entrance and side entrance doors are manual; both are 900mm/35.5ins wide, light to push and open inwards.
Bar & Bar Area and Dining Area/Restaurant
The bar and restaurant are situated on the ground floor. Entry to the restaurant is by two steps, but an alternative low gradient ramp is available.
Both the bar and restaurant have level access throughout.
There are low sofas and bar stools in the bar area. Both the bar and the restaurant have a mixture of upright chairs with and without arms and tables are well spaced apart, with a clear height from the floor of 609mm/24ins.
Lighting is natural daylight supplemented with overhead and wall lighting.
There is background music in the restaurant area.
The flooring is parquet wooden throughout.
We do our best to cater for any dietary requirements; please contact us in advance with any specific requests. Where possible all our food produce is locally sourced.
In the bar area, food is ordered at the bar and brought to tables. The restaurant is table service.
Large print menus are available. Specials of the day are recited when served. All staff can assist by running through menus with you.
Crockery is colour contrasted with the table where possible.
Customer Toilets
Customer toilets can be found on the ground floor to the rear of the bar. Access is via 2 steps from the main and side entrances, reception, bar and restaurant areas.
Entrance door 900mm/35.5ins wide and level entry into the toilet.
980mm/38.5ins transfer space to the left of the toilet, when facing the toilet.
Toilet height is 400mm/15.7ins.
Vertical rails either side of both basin and toilet.
Horizontal rail on the side wall adjacent to the toilet.
A flashing light when the fire alarm sounds.
An emergency alarm pull cord.
Well lit with fluorescent overhead lighting and there is a low level light switch.
Non-slip laminate flooring.
Lever taps on the sink.
Good colour contrast between critical surfaces; tiles are blue, toilets & washbasins are white.
Beer Garden/Outdoor Area/Smoking area
The Beer Garden is open all year round, with barbeques in summer months. A sheltered designated smoking area is available.
The Beer Garden and the smoking area are to the rear. Access to these areas is available at the rear of the pub where there are 3 steps. Level access is available from the car park.
The entrance/exit door leading to the outdoor areas is glass with markings and lever handle. It is 1800mm/71ins wide.
The beer garden and smoking areas are flat.
The beer garden is grassed. The smoking area has a concrete surface.
There are picnic tables and separate benches which can be moved to give wheelchair access.
Drinks and food can be ordered and served at the table on request.
Additional Information
All of our staff receive regular training that includes disability awareness training.
We have a set of evacuation procedures – should you require assistance someone will help you with evacuation either out of the building or to a refuge. We have safe lifts and an evacuation chair to assist.
We welcome trained assistance dogs.
Low energy lighting is used throughout.
The nearest General Hospital with an A&E unit and walk in NHS facility is 4 miles away. The nearest doctor’s surgery is 0.5 mile away. Please ask for further information.
We can offer a list of nearby attractions and details of their Access Statements for information, where available.
Address (Inc postcode):The Chequers Old Loose Hill Loose Maidstone ME15 0BL
Telephone:01622 743125
Minicom:
Email:[email protected]
Website:www.theloosechequers.com
Grid Reference:Ordnance Survey Sheet 119, Grid reference ST 104 662
Hours Of Operation:We are open all year. Mon-Fri 12-11pm Sat 9-11pm Sun 12-10.30pm
Local Carers:We Care 01622 753168
Local Equipment Hire:Mobility 01622 753168
Local Accessible Taxi:Al's Taxis 01622 750000