The main focus of the bar is beer. The founding principle of Porterhouse is a passion for beer. The bar has a variety of their own craft beers, along with other beers from around the world. They also have a good selection of cocktails and some really tasty pizzas should you been in the mood to eat.

The access sounds really rather good. There is completely step free access from the street with no steps to get into the bar. They have a lift to get to the first floor area and a disabled toilet back by the entrance.

We give Porterhouse North a provisional 2.5 BBS Ticks.

Porterhouse North

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COMMUNICATION

TACTICS

FOR EVERYONE

1 IN 7 of the adult population has a hearing loss

The following is a quick guide as to how you can help yourself and other to hear better

MANIPULATE THE ENVIRONMENT

• Reduce background noise where possible.
• Choose quiet surroundings wherever possible.
• Always speak to other people from the same room.
• Rooms with soft furnishings reduce echo.
• Sit where the light falls on the speakers face.
• Would another part of the room be quieter?
• Turn down the volume of your hearing aid in noisy places.
• Sit so that you reduce any distraction from behind.
• Using mats and tablecloths helps reduce echoes and harsh sounds.

Think Positively….

If a situation is difficult for you it will be difficult of everyone.

Be Understanding….

A little extra effort eases frustration for everyone.

IF YOU HAVE A HEARING IMPAIRMENT….

• Don’t stand too far away from the speaker.
• Face the speaker and keep light on their face.
• Make sure that you can see the face/lips of the speaker and watch for expressions and gestures
• Ask the speaker to get your attention first.
• Encourage people when starting a conversation to start with the subject at the beginning.
• Don’t be afraid to ask the speaker to repeat themselves or to rephrase.
• Ask the speaker to slow down and speak clearly.
• Explain that you have a hearing loss and then tell people how they can help you.
• Be assertive.
• Try to keep calm and don’t panic.

Think Positively….

Simple considerations can help you to use your

hearing more effectively, think about each

situation and how you can improve things!!

IF YOU ARE SPEAKING TO SOMEONE WHO HAS A HEARING IMPAIRMENT…

• Attract the listener’s attention.
• Ensure the listener knows the topic.
• Do not shout.
• Do not over exaggerate lip movement.
• Speak clearly but not too slowly.
• Keep your hand away from your face.
• Keep the light on your face.
• Remove sunglasses.
• Put down your cup of tea or cigarette.
• Rephrase and don’t just repeat a single word.
• Remember the listener is watching you closely because they are lip reading
• Move close to the listener.

Be Understanding….

Hearing Aids cannot restore normal hearing!

COMMUNICATION is a TWO way process!

The post Communication Tactics For Everyone – Advice For Navigating Hearing Loss appeared first on Blue Badge Style.

The Deaf Lounge, which welcomes both deaf and non-deaf customers, has a range of different features which make it a beneficial environment for deaf people. The staff are trained in sign language, there is bright lighting, so customers can see each other speak with signs, and pens and paper are provided for writing messages. It’s a brilliant and unique venue which helps to make style more accessible to the less-able.

When we reviewed the Deaf Lounge we really wanted to be able to give it a full 3 BBS Ticks. As a venue that is aimed at being extra accessible for the deaf while remaining stylish, it fit perfectly with what Blue Badge Style is all about. The problem was that, at the moment, they don’t have a disabled toilet. And here’s where the update comes in:

Having spoken to the guys at Deaf Lounge, we found out that they do want to put a wheelchair accessible toilet into the bar. The problem is that after the initial cost of setting up the bar there wasn’t enough money left to install one.

They’ve now started fundraising in earnest with building a disabled toilet at the top of their agenda when they have the funds. As well as that, they’re also raising money to provide British Sign Language lessons and Deaf DJing classes. All good causes worth contributing to if you possibly can.

If you want to make a contribution then head to their fundraising page. The Deaf Lounge has already done so much to make a bar that is accessible for deaf people. Wouldn’t it be great if it could be 100% accessible to wheelchair users too?!

Bar staff know sign language

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The only issues that can arise are that when it is busy, getting around in a chair could be difficult and also if you need to loo there could be a problem as, unfortunately, they don’t have a disabled toilet …

The Last Word Saloon only gets a provisional 1 BBS Tick

The post The Last Word Saloon – Underground Cocktail Bar In Edinburgh – Difficult To Access! appeared first on Blue Badge Style.

There are 4 steps into the building, which people will help you over. Once inside there is a lift up to the restaurant where there are no other steps and they do have a disabled toilet!

Flavour gets a provisional 2.5 BBS Ticks

The post Flavour – Boutique Restaurant And Hotel With Great Disabled Access! appeared first on Blue Badge Style.

The post Pictorial Access Descriptions – PADs appeared first on Blue Badge Style.

Unfortunately this is a basement bar so getting down to it is a bit of an issue but the doormen are happy to carry you down the stairs! Another downside is that they don’t have a disabled toilet. But they do have a cubicle in the bathrooms which has space for a wheelchair. There aren’t any handrails in there but you  might be able to use it with some assistance from a friend.

We give Dukebox 1.5 provisional BBS Ticks

The post Dukebox – Basement Bar In Chelsea! appeared first on Blue Badge Style.

My brother and I had a wonderful time at Trinity restaurant in Clapham Old Town. We were lucky enough to enjoy the taster menu, which were five courses of delicious British food. The plates were beautifully presented every time, with a description of each as they were brought out.

Highlights included sea bass with a scallop filled courgette flower and a chilled broad bean soup, which was deceptively delicious! The dishes were interesting and flavoursome, giving a new spin on some classic English dishes like strawberries and cream. The staff were really helpful and accommodating too, advising us on wine to go with the courses.

Trinity Restaurant

Access wise, the entrance was step-free, although there was a slight incline in the carpeted entrance. Once in the restaurant, there was plenty of space around the tables, which were a good height for wheelchair users. When having a look at the disabled toilet, unfortunately the door wouldn’t shut so it couldn’t be used; I think this was due to an ill-fitting door. The bathroom wasn’t perfect either as it didn’t have grab rails but it was adequately sized.

Apart from this, Hugo and I had a brilliant time at Trinity, we are still gushing about the food and were very well looked after by the lovely staff. I would definitely go back and highly recommend the taster menu to others, particularly if it’s preceded by the delicious strawberry bellini!

Huge thanks to Fiona and the team at Blue Badge Style for this fantastic and generous prize!

Sounds delicious. We’re going to give Trinity 2.5 BBS Ticks. Keep reading Blue Badge Style for more competitions where you could win a meal for two!

Competition Winners Sophie And Hugo

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They’re only open for lunch and produce ‘seasonally inspired dishes created using only the best, most carefully and naturally produced ingredients supplemented with edible flowers and herbs from the Petersham House Walled Kitchen Garden’. It’s been described as the ‘epitome of chic… being quirky and original’.

It’s got rave reviews for the food created by Australian chef Greg Malouf and has one Michelin Star. However, they all say it’s expensive but not enough to put people off. Personally I love garden centres as you can buy ‘instant gardens’ – add good food and I’m sold. Will let you know the result of my imminent visit!!

They get a provisional 2.5 BBS Ticks

Petersham Nurseries – A place For ‘Instant Gardening’ & Good Food

MichelinStar Food In A Garden Centre!?

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Timeout says the

“hipster count is high, the welcome and service are friendly, and there’s a level of professionalism here that’s missing from many local restaurants”.

It looks pretty reasonable price wise as the Prix Fixe is £17.50 but cocktails will push this up. It’s a bar and restaurant and the ‘hippest’ time to go is Sunday Brunch accompanied by their piano player. They have also opened a 2 year ‘pop-up’ in Kings Cross (surely a ‘stay-up’), called Shrimpy’s and I will review that in our next Weds Wrap on 19 June.

In the meantime they get a provisional 2BBS Ticks as access is challenging but style is great.

20 Stairs To Access But Disabled Toilet on Ground Floor

Bistrotheque Manchichi Bar – For Walk-in Customers.

Shrimpy’s – Bistrotheque’s Sister ‘POP Up’ Resto/Bar In Kings Cross, Review In Weds Wrap 19 June

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