Case study Incline lift manages Royal Albert Hall’s stairs

Incline lift manages Royal Albert Hall’s stairs

The Royal Albert Hall, has undertaken major development work to improve disabled access for visitors and performers; an EquiLift wheelchair lift was chosen to provide accessibility within one of the hall’s restaurants. Work on the Grade 1 Listed building took seven years.

Working with the recommendations laid out in the Disability Discrimination Act, a major emphasis was placed on making adjustments to the physical features that could impede access for physically disabled people. Access to all areas, from the Basement to the Gallery is covered by Part M of the Building Regulations compliant passenger lifts, which feature tactile, and Braille buttons.

The Hall has three restaurants, all of which are now fully accessible: Located on the Circle level, the Elgar Restaurant is on two levels. With limited space available, it was decided to install a EquiLift incline platform lift. The lifting platform is fitted to the staircase and can accommodate a wheelchair passenger, when not in use, this disabled access lift can simply be folded neatly away, to not impede access for other people.