Open Today: 9:00am - 6:00pm
Open Today: 9:00am - 6:00pm

Accessibility

Accessibility is important to us here at The Palms that’s why making sure your shopping experience is easy and stress-free right from when you park your car or enter the centre. 

Accessibility

The Palms Shopping Centre has gone platinum – that is, it has attained the highest standard achievable in Be. Accessible’s Accessibility Assessment by gaining the ultimate rating of platinum for accessibility, the first business in the South Island to do so. The Palms has received a ‘platinum’ rating, meaning that in a close examination of all five access areas—vision, hearing, mobility, learning and parents—the centre achieved an average grade of 80 per cent. The high rating on its first assessment can be attributed to features such as ramp hand railing, the reachability and usability of EFTPOS terminals, and the grassed area the centre has for support animals. Importantly, security staff are also well-trained in emergency evacuation. The platinum rating is indicative of the importance the centre places on the safety and comfort of all its customers.

Accessibility

The Palms Shopping Centre has gone platinum – that is, it has attained the highest standard achievable in Be. Accessible’s Accessibility Assessment by gaining the ultimate rating of platinum for accessibility, the first business in the South Island to do so.

The Palms has received a ‘platinum’ rating, meaning that in a close examination of all five access areas—vision, hearing, mobility, learning, and parents—the centre achieved an average grade of 80 percent. The high rating on its first assessment can be attributed to features such as ramp hand railing, the reachability and usability of EFTPOS terminals. Importantly, the security staff is also well-trained in emergency evacuation.

The platinum rating is indicative of the importance the centre places on the safety and comfort of all its customers.

The Palms accessible route has a minimum width of 1200mm and access to all facilities and services are within the accessible route. Lighting levels offer good visibility and viewing, and any permanent fixed objects are detectable by people using canes.

The food court has a set table area that can become busy and congested during peak times during school holidays and key retail periods.

The majority of centre entrances have automatic opening doors and wheelchair access. The only door which is not automatic is on the second level of the carpark and the entrance to Reading Cinemas.

Complimentary wheelchairs and mobility scooters are available for use from our Customer Service Team, located between Cotton On and Hannahs. These are available during The Palms Customer Service Hours:
Monday – Wednesday 9am – 6pm,
Thursday – Friday 9am – 9pm,
​Saturday 9am – 6pm and,
Sunday 10am – 6pm. 

At The Palms, there is allocated mobility parking in all car parks including the first three levels of the car parking building, with wheelchair access ramps where required. Mobility parking spaces are available to vehicles with a valid disability card and are generally the closest proximity to the entrances.

Ground level accessible car park locations:
Outside the Arena there are 2 mobility car parks.
Outside the South Entrance (BNZ Bank) there are 2 mobility car parks and 2 parent car parks.
Outside the North Entrance (Robert Harris) there are 4 mobility car parks and 3 parent car parks.

Level one accessible car park locations:
Outside the Farmers entrance/lift there are 12 mobility car parks.
Outside the cinema entrance there are 6 mobility carparks.

Level two accessible car park locations:
Outside the cinema entrance there are 2 mobility car parks.

The Palms has a robust evacuation plan, all emergency exits are accessible and hazard free. There are audible fire alerting devices as well as signs for hearing needs designed to use in bathrooms and for those that require additional assistance. An evacuation wheelchair is available should it be required. All of The Palms team and its stores are fully committed to these procedures and are actively involved.

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