INCLUSIVE SHOPPING

We understand that visiting a shopping centre can be a stressful experience and we want to help make your trip easier. We appreciate that not all disabilities are visible so we work with many local groups to try to understand the differing needs of our customers. Some of our staff, and their families, are living with disabilities and/or have additional support needs.

Dementia Friends

The Marlands team have participated in an awareness workshop through Dementia Friends a Alzheimer’s Society initiative and we are proud to be listed as supporters of Dementia Friends. Some of the retailers have also participated in this. More information can be found on their website. https://www.dementiafriends.org.uk/

Friends of Autism

We understand that a visit to a busy shopping centre can be especially daunting to some people with autism spectrum conditions (ASC), sensory or additional needs . To help make your visit as enjoyable as possible, we have created a number of helpful resources for people with autism and their parents/ carers. These are available to download below. The downloads include a visual guide (aimed predominantly at children with ASC) and a detailed guide (aimed predominantly at parents/carer or adults with ASC ) to the centre, which aim to support you from the early stages of planning a visit, arriving at the Centre, information about the amenities and what to do in an emergency. We have also developed alert cards that can be used throughout your visit at your discretion. For more information on Autism please go to their website: https://www.autism.org.uk/

Not Every Disability is Visible

We support the Crohn's and Colitis UK campaign to raise awareness of hidden disabilities and our accessible toilets are available to anyone who needs them. If you would like to purchase a radar key please follow either of the links below:
Crohns and Colitis becoming a member
https://www.disabilityrightsuk.org/shop

Wheelchairs and Mobility

The mall is on two floors. The ground floor is accessible from Above Bar Street and there are two entrances on Portland Terrace. There are 2 spacious lifts serving the other levels of the centre for toilets, management suite and shops at mezzanine level. Manual wheelchairs are available from our helpdesk. We have 2 accessible toilets on the first floor which are accessible via the lifts and a slope. The toilets are currently fitted with RADAR locks to help reduce abuse of these facilities. All Marlands staff have access to a RADAR key and will be happy to provide access to anyone on request if you do not have one.

Parking

Accessible parking is in The Marlands Car Park, owned by Southampton City Council, where there are automatic door and lifts to allow easy access to mall level (level 10).

There are also disabled parking bays at the Civic Centre forecourt.

Shopmobility

The Shopmobility service provides manual and electric wheelchairs and mobility scooters to people with limited mobility. Enabling them to access the city centre and shop independently. The Shopmobility equipment includes a range of different mobility scooters (3 and 4 wheel), power chairs and manual wheelchairs to suit individual needs.

Southampton City Shopmobility is situated within the West Quay Shopping Centre. For more information please visit their website: https://www.west-quay.co.uk/shopmobility

Luggage Storage Facilities

Nearest to the Marlands Shopping centre is Stasher which is located with Maynards News - 5 Civic Centre Road, Southampton SO14 7FJ. They are open 7 a.m to 9 p.m.

Please book via this link, www.stasher.com

Guide Dogs Association

We have been in contact with the Guide Dogs Association and will be running some internal training sessions. After which our team will be happy to act as guides. Assistance dogs are welcome within the centre. 

Hidden Disabilities

Please be patient and
give me a little more time.

Not all disabilities are visible. If you notice someone wearing the Hidden Disabilities lanyard, please be patient and give them a little more time.Not all people with hidden disabilities require assistance. But if you do, wearing the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Lanyard discreetly indicates that you may need additional support or just a little more time.

The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Scheme has been successfully introduced to several major UK airports as well as some supermarkets, railway stations, NHS Trusts and sports venues.

If you would like a hidden disability lanyard please speak to a member of the team on the Information Desk (We don't have any at present but will update here as soon as we do). 

If you want to find out more, please visit our website
www.hiddendisabilitiesstore.com

We would love to improve our centre further and are hear your feedback on our facilities, service or how we can help further. Please phone 02380 339164 or email [email protected]

Downloads

Visual guide

AUTISM Card

Detailed GUIDE