This is a working document, we’ll add more information soon.
We’ll do our very best to ensure that the venues we use are as accessible as possible for everyone regardless of whether the concern is physical or mental. We’re limited by the constraints of organising a large event, in an over-priced city, on a very tight budget so we’re forced to make compromises. If you have any other requests or comments, please let us know anarchistbookfairlondon(at)riseup.net. We welcome feedback and will do our best to meet any requests. Accessibility is a journey not a destination and we want to keep moving in the right direction.
Venues
This year there are three venues for the bookfair:
- – Leake Street Arches (the ‘Graffiti Tunnel) https://www.leakestreetarches.london/
- – 26 Leake Street (https://26leakestreet.com/)
- – Waterloo Action Centre (https://waterlooactioncentre.co.uk/)
We have included some access information on each venue below.
Here is some general information on the bookfair, please also have a look at our ‘what to expect’ page.
Transport: All the venues are below or adjacent to Waterloo Station which is Step-free category A. There is step free access from the main concourse to all platforms, shops and facilities. Step free exits are exit 1 (Station approach), exit 2 (with a lift to Waterloo Road and lift access to the London Underground Jubilee line), and exit 3 for taxis and onward travel towards the South Bank.
See here for an access guide to Waterloo Station https://www.networkrail.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/London-Waterloo-accessible-station-guide.pdf
Toilets: Toilets, including accessible toilets (Ground Floor – Left Hand Transfer ) are available at 26 Leake Street. See below for more information
Crowds: The bookfair is a huge event and one which is split between three venues. The collective and the volunteers will be making every effort to make sure everyone has a safe and productive day however if you have personal, physical or mental health considerations, it’s best to plan ahead.
Remember though, anarchism is about collective responsibility and bookfair goers are equally responsible for each-others’ safety at the bookfair so be pro-active and look out for each other.
COVID: We will have masks and hand sanitiser available. If you have any covid symptoms please stay at home.
BSL: We have had issues previously with establishing sign language at the Bookfair, this is due to multiple factors. We will try our best to improve on this next year. If you are able to help with this, please get in contact: anarchistbookfairlondon [at] riseup.net
Fumes/smell: The graffiti tunnel (Leake Street Arches) is constantly painted with graffiti. It is well ventilated, but still smells of spray paint. It may cause issues for those who have respiratory difficulties or who are sensitive to the smell. All of the workshops and some of the stalls will be in the other venues, away from the spray paint.
Traffic light lanyard system: We will provide a traffic light lanyard system which we’ve found is helpful for a variety of people, such as people with autism, social anxiety, or speech issues. We ask that everyone present read the signage regarding this traffic light system on the way in and respect it’s use during the event.
Quiet space: We have access to the garden at Waterloo Action Centre. If you need a quieter space away from the crowds, we recommend going there. It’s outdoors and only partially covered, so not the perfect space, but unfortunately we were unable to arrange for an alternative space.
Fidget toys: The bookfair will have its own stall at the entrance to Leake Street Arches where we will provide a variety of fidget toys for anyone who finds them helpful.
Children’s space: The Meeting Room in Waterloo Action Centre will be used for a childspace between 1pm and 6pm. There will always be two DBS certified adults present and a range of activities, entertainment and refreshment will be provided.
Venues
Leake Street Arches (Graffiti Tunnel)
Most of the stalls, the food and some other activities will be in Leake Street Arches. See here for how to get there:
https://www.leakestreetarches.london/gettinghere
General
- There is step free access along the Arches.
- There is a path along the side of the Arches.
- The surface of the path is block paving and concrete.
- There are dropped kerbs from the access road onto the path.
- The access road has a tarmac surface.
- The Arches are closed to public traffic but there may be vehicles on the road delivering to the venues.
Toilets
- There are no toilets available in the tunnel, but toilets and an accessible toilet are available at 26 Leake Street (see below)
26 Leake Street
26 Leake Street can be accessed from Leake Street Arches or Addington Street. Some stalls and workshops and the evening gig will be at 26 Leake Street.
(Information taken from https://www.accessable.co.uk/london-south-bank/london-south-bank-tourist-attractions/access-guides/26-leake-street)
General
- There is step-free access, via lift, throughout the majority of the building.
- Some flooring in the area is smooth and even.
- Where the flooring is not smooth or even, this is due to carpet.
- The building does not have a hearing assistance system.
- Background noise and lighting will vary according to event arrangements.
All seating and counters are fully moveable and will be laid out according to event arrangements.
General moveable counters have a surface height 102cm above the floor.
There are oil barrels used as tables with a surface height 87cm above the floor.
There may be moveable tape barriers in use.
The flooring is mostly concrete with occasional trip hazards such as drain covers, laid in metal rails, and some cracks.
Accessible Toilet (Ground Floor – Left Hand Transfer)
- This accessible toilet is located behind the performance area of the main arch, towards the Addington Street entrances.
- There is step-free level access into the toilet.
- This accessible toilet is approximately 56m from the Leake Street entrance.
- There is pictorial signage on or near the door.
- The door is manual, opens outwards and has a good colour contrast with the surrounding walls.
- The width of the accessible toilet door opening is 94cm.
- The door has a locking handle (with a RADAR key to access).
- The dimensions of the cubicle are 180cm x 226cm and it has a turning space of at least 150cm x 150cm.
- There is a lateral transfer space to the left of the seat but it is obstructed.
- The lateral transfer space is 115cm from the side of the toilet pan to the wall.
- There is a lever flush on the non transfer side.
- The following grab rails are available: a horizontal grab rail on the non transfer side, a vertical grab rail on the transfer side and vertical grab rails on both sides of the wash basin.
- There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
- The following fixtures can be reached from the toilet seat: the wash basin and the soap dispenser.
- The following fixtures cannot be reached from the toilet seat: hand dryer.
- The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 48cm.
- The wash basin tap type is lever mixer.
- The height of the wash basin is 70cm.
- The height of the soap dispenser is 94cm.
- The height of the hand dryer is 95cm.
- The height of the baby change is 68cm.
- There is a pull cord emergency alarm but it was tied up at the time of the survey.
- There is not a shelf.
- The cubicle also has: a sanitary bin.
- The cubicle does not have a mirror and coat hooks.
- The following have a good colour contrast with their surroundings: all grab rails, the dropdown rail and the floor.
- The following have a less clear colour contrast with their surroundings: the internal door and the toilet seat.
Waterloo Action Centre
Some workshops, the kids space and the quiet space (garden) will be at Waterloo Action Centre
14 Baylis Road
Waterloo
London SE1 7AA
General
The spaces being used for the bookfair, the Dancehall and Meeting Room and the garden are all on the ground floor and have step free access.
Toilets
Accessible toilets are available.