Southcliff Apartments are housed in a large Victorian residence on a pedestrian walkway overlooking the sea in Cullercoats, North Tyneside. For advice on particular needs please email me on southcliffapartments@theseaside.co.uk or call 0191 2513121. I would be delighted to give you any information, or assist in any way possible either before or during your stay.

There are three apartments, one on the ground floor, one on the first floor and one on the second floor. There is no lift so if you have limited mobility, really only the ground floor apartment (Bay View) is suitable, although I am afraid it is not suitable if you use a wheelchair all the time: ‘...the ground floor apartment can be used by people who use wheelchairs on a part time basis, with assistance.’ (Gateshead Access Panel 2005).

The information below relates specifically to The Bay View, but if you would like to know more about the other apartments please just let me know.

Pre-Arrival

To check availability, book online and find maps see our website www.southcliffapartments.co.uk Newcastle Central Station is about 12 miles away, 20 mins by car or 25 mins by direct by Metro. If you require information in large print please let me know. To protect guests with allergies we do not allow pets and the apartments are fully non-smoking.

Arrival and Parking

Check-in is between 2.30 – 4.00 but we are happy to be flexible – simply arrange this with us beforehand. We would be delighted to give you any assistance you need on arrival, again just let us know beforehand. Because we live just a few doors up we are at hand should you require any assistance during your stay.

As the apartments are on a pedestrian walkway so there is no parking to the front, but there is parking to the side on Windsor Crescent which is only about 10 meters to the apartments, (however there is a low wall at the bend of the road so make sure you park where this ends.)

The immediate Area

There are some lovely easy walks right outside your front door. In fact you can just stand (or sit) outside the garden gate, watching the changing horizon and the boats passing by. There is a pub and 2 Italian Restaurants just a couple of minutes walk away, as well as a Bills fish and chip shop (directly across is a bench overlooking the sea where you can eat them in traditional outdoor style!) There is also a seat in the garden to the front.

The Bay View apartment has a little patio area outside the back door - although there is a step down. The Metro System (Cullercoats Metro) is just 5 mins walk away and is wheelchair accessible and disabled friendly providing easy, fast and direct access to Newcastle City Centre – you come out actually inside Eldon Square shopping Mall .

Main Entrance

There is a cobble path to the front entrance and porch. However, the front door is not straight in front of you, it is to the side of the porch and there is a step, but unfortunately it has not been possible to install a ramp. ‘ There is a step up to the front porch which would benefit from a ramp but the proximity of the garden and window may interfere with the installation...’ (Gateshead Access Panel 2005). You can get in with a wheelchair, so long as you have some-one with you to assist.

Internal doors, rooms

There are no internal steps in The Bay View. Doors are large enough for a wheelchair apart from to the double bedroom. Doors are not self closing so are easier to open. Rooms are large with plenty of space between the furniture, which is solid to lean on for support. There is a carver dining chair (with arms) so it is easier to get up from. Let us know if you would like us to move any furniture or lift any rugs to make your stay more comfortable. There is space to store a wheelchair either in the apartment or in the porch. The TV has Teletext and there is good colour contrast between floors and walls. The emergency exit is through the back door through the kitchen, and there is a step down here. Lighting is energy efficient, so it can take a couple of seconds to reach full brightness.

Bedrooms

Both bedrooms are spacious with access to each side of the bed. There is a choice of bed heights with the bed in the double bedroom higher than the beds in the twin room. (The twin room has a washbasin). Bedding is cotton. The duvet on the double bed is feather/down, (if you would prefer a non-feather duvet let me know) Other duvets and all pillows are synthetic and/or cotton filling.

Kitchen

Work surfaces are regular height, there is a cordless kettle .

Bathroom

There are no specific ‘disabled’ facilities. The shower is over the bath, and the toilet is regular height. However the bathroom is quite spacious so it is fairly easy to manoeuvre around.

Action Plan

We plan to do the following and will amend the statement above once completed:

   - When taps need replacing do so with lever handle taps.
   - Install easy use locks and handles for Bay View
   - Mark in contrast strips steps front door step and backdoor step.
   - Install more handrails
   - Investigate removable ramp for front door.

Please let me know if you need any further information - I’d be delighted to help in any way I can.

Best Wishes,
Shana Nethercott (Owner)