Accessibility Statement

This accessibility statement applies to www.enjoythepause.co.uk and the holiday accommodation at Enjoy the Pause Holiday Home, Chester

We are committed to making our website and accommodation as accessible as possible to all guests. This statement describes the current accessibility of our property and provides information to help you determine if it meets your needs.


Statement prepared: February 2026



Property Overview

Enjoy the Pause Holiday Home is a mid-terrace Victorian property (circa 1800s) located in Chester's conservation area. As a listed building, some accessibility modifications are limited by planning restrictions. We welcome enquiries about specific accessibility requirements and will do our best to accommodate your needs.

Maximum occupancy: 4 guests
Bedrooms: 2 (both on first floor)
Bathrooms: 1 (first floor)


Getting Here


Parking

  • Provision: 1 designated parking space for guests
  • Location: End of road, approximately 20 paces (10 metres) from property entrance
  • Surface: Gravel stone parking area then public pavement from parking to front door
  • Accessibility: No designated disabled parking bay. Space is suitable for standard vehicles but not adapted for wheelchair-accessible vehicles.


Public Transport

  • Chester Railway Station: 1.2 miles (accessible taxis available)
  • Local bus stops: Within 400 metres, some with lowered kerbs


Entrance


Main Entrance (Front Door)

  • Steps: 1 step, approximately 25cm height
  • Ramp: Not available (conservation area restrictions)
  • Door width: 85cm (just wide enough for most manual wheelchairs - standard requirement is 80cm minimum)
  • Door type: Keypad entry with unique smart code for each guest (no physical keys required)
  • Threshold: Raised threshold present
  • Lighting: Council Street Light - external light


Accessibility note: The front step may present a barrier for wheelchair users and those with limited mobility. We can provide assistance with luggage if arranged in advance.


Ground Floor Layout


Vestibule

  • Door width: Slightly wider than main entrance (approximately 90cm)
  • Flooring: Laminate (smooth, level surface)


Open-Plan Kitchen, Dining & Living Area

  • Layout: Single open-plan space with no internal steps or thresholds
  • Flooring: Laminate throughout (slip-resistant) with small rug around sofa area
  • Door widths: N/A (open plan)
  • Furniture: Moveable dining chairs and sofa (can be adjusted to create space)
  • Kitchen: Standard height worktops (90cm). No lowered work surfaces available.
  • Appliances: All at standard height. Oven, hob, microwave, kettle, toaster available.


Accessibility note: The ground floor has level access throughout this space, making it suitable for guests who can navigate the entrance step. However, there are no bedroom or bathroom facilities on this floor.


Stairs to First Floor

  • Number of steps: 14
  • Handrails: Yes, on both sides
  • Width: Standard staircase width (approximately 85cm between handrails)
  • Surface: Carpeted
  • Lighting: Integrated ceiling lights with manual switches (top along the landing and bottom of stairs)
  • Stairlift: Not available


Accessibility note: All sleeping accommodation and bathroom facilities are on the first floor, accessible only by stairs. This may not be suitable for guests with mobility impairments or those unable to use stairs.


First Floor Layout


Landing Area

  • Step up from staircase: Yes, approximately 20cm step up into corridor leading to bedrooms
  • Width: Narrow corridor (approximately 70cm wide)
  • Guardrail: Open to stairs with metal balustrade
  • Flooring: Carpet


Bathroom (immediately at top of stairs)

  • Door width: Standard (approximately 75cm)
  • Flooring: Tiled (can be slippery when wet - bath mat provided)
  • Bath: L-shaped bath with overhead shower
  • Shower: Over-bath shower with movable shower screen for access (no walk-in shower or wet room)
  • Grab rails: Not currently installed
  • Toilet: Standard height
  • Sink: Standard height
  • Step-free access: Yes, once at top of stairs


Accessibility note: The over-bath shower requires stepping over the bath edge (approximately 50cm high), which may be challenging for guests with mobility issues. We can provide a non-slip bath mat upon request.


Bedrooms

  • Bedroom 1: King-size bed, medium room
  • Bedroom 2: Double bed, small room
  • Door widths: Standard (approximately 75cm)
  • Flooring: Carpet
  • Access: Both bedrooms accessed via the narrow corridor with 20cm step up from bathroom level


Accessibility note: The bedrooms are compact with limited circulation space around beds. The 20cm step into the bedroom corridor may present a trip hazard.


Garden


Access

  • Exit from ground floor: Yes, via kitchen door
  • Step down from house: 1 step (approximately 20cm)
  • Second step: Additional step (approximately 20cm) into main garden area
  • Surface: Artificial turf (level, non-slip when dry)
  • Furniture: Fixed outdoor bench and movable low seating


Accessibility note: Two steps to access main garden area. No ramped access available.


Safety Features

  • ✅ Smoke and Carbon Monoxide detection: Nest Protect system (hardwired with battery backup, works during power failures)
  • ✅ Motion Sensor lighting: Nest Protect system mains-powered emergency lighting at bottom and top of stairs (sensor activated)
  • ✅ Fire extinguisher: Available
  • ✅ First aid kit: Available
  • ❌ Visual fire alarms: Not currently installed
  • ❌ Hearing loop: Not available


All safety systems are monitored remotely by the host and checked in accordance with fire regulations and Risk Assessment.


Emergency Evacuation:

In the event of fire:

  • If safe to do so: Evacuate immediately via the front door
  • If stairs are blocked by fire/smoke: Move to bedroom furthest from fire
  • Close door and place towels at base to slow smoke
  • Open window and signal for help
  • Call 999 immediately and inform them you're trapped on first floor


Important: The property does not currently have certified fire doors. We're exploring installation as a future safety improvement. Guests with limited mobility should discuss evacuation capabilities before booking.

All safety systems (Nest Protect smoke/CO alarms) are monitored remotely by the host and checked in accordance with fire regulations and risk assessment requirements.


Accessibility Features & Facilities


Currently Available:

  • Keypad entry (no keys to manage)
  • Narrow front door (85cm - wheelchair accessible width)
  • Level ground floor living space
  • Both-side stair handrails
  • Emergency lighting system
  • Non-slip bath mat (upon request)
  • Good natural lighting throughout
  • Adjustable heating controls in each room on radiators and via the central NEST control at the bottom of the stairs


Not Available:

  • Ground floor bedroom
  • Ground floor bathroom/WC
  • Walk-in or level-access shower
  • Stairlift or lift
  • Bathroom grab rails
  • Lowered kitchen worktops
  • Ramp to entrance
  • Visual/vibrating fire alarms
  • Hearing loop
  • Wheelchair-accessible WC


Assistance & Support


Assistance Animals

Genuine assistance dogs are welcome. This includes guide dogs, hearing dogs, medical alert dogs, and other assistance dogs trained to perform specific tasks related to a disability.


Notification Required

Please inform us in advance if you're bringing an assistance dog so we can ensure the property is prepared appropriately.


Verification Questions

To comply with the Equality Act 2010, we may politely ask two questions:

  1. "Is this an assistance dog required because of a disability?"
  2. "What work or task has the dog been trained to perform?"

We do not require certification, ID cards, or medical documentation, as there is no official UK register for assistance dogs.


Behavioural Standards

All assistance dogs must:

  • Be under the handler's control at all times (voice, leash, or other effective control)
  • Be housebroken
  • Be non-aggressive and not disruptive


Right to Refuse Entry

We reserve the right to ask you to remove your dog if:

  • The dog is out of control and you do not take effective action
  • The dog is not housebroken
  • The dog poses a direct threat to health or safety
  • The dog's behaviour significantly disrupts the property or neighbours

In such cases, no refund will be provided for early departure.


Pet Dogs Not Permitted

This is not a pet-friendly property. Only trained assistance dogs performing disability-related tasks are permitted.


Handler Responsibility

The guest is responsible for:

  • Supervising and controlling the dog at all times
  • Any damage caused by the dog
  • Cleaning up after the dog in the garden
  • Ensuring the dog does not disturb neighbours

Damage caused by assistance dogs will be charged to the guest's security deposit or payment card as per our standard damage policy.


False Representation

Misrepresenting a pet as an assistance dog constitutes fraud and breaches the Equality Act 2010. This is against our booking terms and may result in:

  • Immediate termination of your booking without refund
  • Unauthorised pet cleaning fee (£250 minimum)
  • Charges for any damage caused


Personal Care & Mobility Equipment

We do not provide:

  • Hoists or lifting equipment
  • Adjustable beds
  • Specialized mobility aids

Guests are welcome to bring their own equipment. Please contact us to discuss space and access requirements.


Support with Arrival

We can provide assistance with:

  • Luggage carrying from parking to property (arranged in advance)
  • Early check-in or late check-out to avoid busy periods (subject to availability)
  • Detailed pre-arrival information about access and layout


Nearby Accessible Facilities

  • Accessible parking in Chester: Multi-storey car parks with designated disabled bays within 5-minute walk
  • Accessible attractions: Chester Cathedral, Grosvenor Museum, and sections of City Walls have accessibility provisions
  • Medical facilities: Countess of Chester Hospital (2.5 miles) - full accessibility
  • Accessible taxis: Available from Chester Railway Station


Communication & Booking

We offer flexible communication methods:

We encourage guests with specific accessibility requirements to contact us before booking to discuss whether the property will meet their needs. We will provide honest, detailed information to help you make an informed decision.


Pre-Arrival Information

We provide:

  • Detailed video tour of the property (available on website)
  • Visual guides for all appliances and systems
  • Guest preferences form to share specific requirements
  • Online Welcome Guide with emergency contact information


Honest Assessment


This Property May Be Suitable For:

  • Guests who can navigate 1 entrance step (25cm) and 14 stairs
  • Guests with mild mobility impairments who can use stairs with handrails
  • Guests who do not require ground-floor sleeping or bathroom facilities
  • Guests with sensory processing needs (see our Neurodivergent-Friendly page)
  • Guests bringing genuine assistance dogs (see Assistance Animals section above for requirements)


This Property May NOT Be Suitable For:

  • Wheelchair users (due to entrance step, stairs, and narrow first-floor corridor)
  • Guests who cannot use stairs
  • Guests requiring ground-floor bedroom and bathroom
  • Guests requiring grab rails in bathroom (we are exploring installation options)
  • Guests requiring hearing loop or visual fire alarm systems


Future Improvements

We are committed to improving accessibility within the constraints of our Victorian building.

We are currently exploring:

  • Installation of FD30-rated fire doors (fire safety enhancement beyond current minimum requirements for small properties)
  • Enhanced lighting in stairwell to upgrade the battery motion sensor lights
  • Portable ramp for front entrance step (currently researching suitable options)


Website Accessibility

Our website (www.enjoythepause.co.uk) aims to meet WCAG 2.1 AA standards:

  • ✅ Resizable text
  • ✅ Keyboard navigation
  • ✅ Alt text for images
  • ✅ Colour contrast compliance
  • ✅ Screen reader compatibility

We welcome feedback on website accessibility.


Feedback & Complaints

We welcome feedback on accessibility. If you encounter any barriers or have suggestions for improvement, please contact us:

Email: paula@enjoythepause.co.uk

We aim to respond to all accessibility enquiries within 48 hours.


Contact for Accessibility Queries

Paula Revill-Jones
Host, Enjoy the Pause Holiday Home
Email: paula@enjoythepause.co.uk
Website: www.enjoythepause.co.uk


Regulatory Information

This accessibility statement was prepared in accordance with the Equality Act 2010. As a self-catering accommodation provider, we have obligations to make reasonable adjustments where practicable. However, as a listed Victorian property in a conservation area, some structural modifications are restricted by planning regulations.


We are committed to continuous improvement and welcome dialogue with guests about their accessibility needs.


Next review date: February 2027


This statement provides factual information about accessibility. For questions about whether the property will meet your specific needs, please  contact us directly.