Accessibility Statement

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 alarms: Integrated, hardwired system (no battery maintenance required)
• ✅ Carbon monoxide detectors: Integrated system
• ✅ Emergency lighting: 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

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

Guide dogs and assistance animals are welcome. Please inform us in advance so we can prepare appropriately.

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:

• Email: paula@enjoythepause.co.uk
• Online booking: www.enjoythepause.co.uk

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)

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 listed building status. We are currently exploring:

• Installation of bathroom grab rails (subject to conservation area approval)
• Enhanced lighting in stairwell
• Textured step edges for visual contrast
• 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.