It’s been a fairly quiet week for me, in terms of reviewing and auditing new venues, as I’ve just been so busy with work. But, ever the multi-tasker, I managed to sneak in a couple of meetings at stylish venues which allowed me to kill two birds with one stone.
One of these was a meeting at the Pullman Hotel in St Pancras. You may be familiar with the location, since it used to be the Novotel near the station, but I really liked what the new ownership have done with the space. The design is very modern, with funky furniture and its bar/restaurant made an ideal location for our meeting. It’s just next to the British Library and only a few minutes from the station, so it would be a convenient stop off for anyone using the train, although I took a cab there myself.
The Restaurant at The Pullman Hotel
Generally the building was quite accessible and inside everything was good, but the outside area was a little bit awkward. Rather ironically, given the proximity to the station, I found myself rather stuck in my tracks, twice. Firstly, the hotel has one of those outdoor platform lifts which tend to be a bit rickety and this particular specimen didn’t quite lift all the way up to the pavement at the top. Luckily the doormen were there to help me out of it, lifting me over the bump, so I wasn’t stuck there all afternoon. The courtyard also has a big grate drain which was quite difficult and bumpy to wheel over. Other than these two fairly minor incidents, the access was not a problem and I gave the Pullman 2.5 BBS Ticks as well as suggesting to them that they may benefit from using our PAD system to highlight these issues to less able visitors, before arrival.
Later in the week I went to audit the Galvin Bistrot de Luxe on Baker Street. We’d reviewed it before and given a provisional 2.5 BBS Ticks, but now that I’ve been in my wheelchair I’m happy to confirm that rating. The food was exemplary and the only problem, access-wise, was a little step at the entrance which irritated me ever so slightly. Overall, it was a super spot and a lot of fun was had by all.
Galvin restaurant serving gorgeous food!
While I was there I spoke to a man who told me that he runs a specialist course in self defence for blind people. The scheme is called the 1Touch Project and teaches visually impaired people how to identify and overcome physical threats. It sounded fascinating, all the more so when I was told that many classes are also taught by blind instructors. I was both intrigued and, I must admit, slightly baffled about how this all works. To help me to overcome my ignorance in this area, I’ve kindly been invited to attend a class and see the programme in action, which I’m very much looking forward to and I’ll be reporting back with news on the 1Touch Project in the near future.
1Touch Project in America
From one one touch project to another, I’m off to the football at the Emirates tonight to watch my Man United team take on the prancing, one-touch midfield merchants of Arsenal. Due to recent form I can’t pretend that I am not dreading the game, but then again I know that my editor, who will be sitting in the opposite end, supporting the Gunners, is feeling similarly worried (even more so due to the fact that the weather is looking foul and his seats are not under the shelter of the stadium roof). The pre-match build up has turned into something of a face-off at BBS Towers as we each try to convince the that our own team is bound to lose. Maybe a draw would be for the best as he’s a notorious sulker.
Pic chosen by ed.
I’ve been to the Emirates before and found that the disabled access there was very good, so fortunately there’s no need to feel tense about that aspect of the evening. I’ll report back soon with some information on where I go before the game and much much more!
