Physical accessibility

Hive staff are always on hand close to the main entrance and are trained in all aspects of customer care to help during your visit. They can be easily identified by their black tops and Hive badges.

There is a call point located on the right hand side wall as you enter the building and an information / enquiry point on every floor.

Any member of The Hive staff team can offer information on the building, our collections and facilities. Please ask for their assistance.

In case of a fire or other emergency you will be guided to an area of safety by a member of Hive staff.

Arrange a Meet & Greet

Hive staff are happy to arrange to meet you during your visit to introduce you to the building, help you get around and assist you with any services you wish to use.

To arrange a meet and greet send an e-mail to hiveadminteam@worcestershire.gov.uk or call 01905 822866.

Getting around The Hive

The Hive is fully accessible to wheelchair users, mobility scooters and pushchairs and has ramp access to all areas on each floor.

Lifts will give you access to all five public floors within the building. Clear signage on the walls and adjacent to each lift with Braille underneath will help you find the floor to locate what you are looking for. Hanging signs from the ceiling direct you to the appropriate area on each floor and signs on the end of shelves will help you find what you need.

You will be able to find drinking water available on Levels 2 and 3 located next to the lifts.

Toilets & Personal Care

There are disabled toilet facilities on every floor, easily found next to the lifts. For those users with special support needs there is a personal care suite located on Level 1 which includes shower and lifting facilities.

Access cards to use this facility are required and can be obtained from Hive staff on request. You will be able to take this card away for your continued personal use when you visit The Hive.

Study Spaces

If you are using a computer adjustable height working stations are available if needed throughout The Hive, please ask a member of staff for assistance.

Height adjustable tables are also available for archive research and microfilm facilities in the Archive and Archaeology Service on Level 2. There is also an automated microfilm machine with a foot pedal for customer use. Please ask a member of Hive staff for assistance.

Induction Loop

Meeting rooms 2, 3 and The Studio have induction loops. You will be able to find these clearly marked on The Hive floor plan map which is available here.

The areas use and IR (infra red) loop that requires either a headset or neck loop to be used in conjunction with the system. A headset can be used if you have a hearing impairment, please ask a member of staff if you require a headset. If you wear your own hearing aid please let a member of staff know so you can have access to a neck loop.

Selected information / enquiry points around The Hive are fitted with hearing loops. If you are wearing your own hearing aid please switch your hearing aid to the 'T' position.

Car Parking

Cattlemarket pay and display car park is directly in front of The Hive. 21 designated blue badge disabled bays are available along the near side of The Hive facing the building which are free for 3 hours. There is a ramped access way signposted around the side of The Hive leading directly to the main entrance.

Crowngate Shopping Centre car park located opposite The Hive and is a ticketed multi-storey car park. Shop mobility is available from the car park on level six (9:00am – 5:30pm Monday to Saturday and 10:30 – 4:00pm on Sundays and Bank Holidays). Exit the car park into the shopping centre on Level 2, leave the shopping centre and follow the flat footpath access across The Hive's bridge to bring you to the main entrance.

Long stay and parking for high vehicles, can be found opposite The Hive in Croft Road car park. Take the path under the viaduct across Croft Road using the pedestrian crossing and up to The Hive using the signposted ramped access way.

Close Access

If close access is required but you are travelling alone, please use Cattlemarket Car Park disabled bays.

Alternatively an easy access drop off point with lowered pavementcan be found on The Butts. Use the public external lift to access Sawmill Walk which will bring you to the main entrance. Please note this is drop off only and vehicles cannot be left or parked.

Access can be pre-arranged through Level 0 which is closer to the carpark, please call 01905 822866 or e-mail hiveadminteam@worcestershire.gov.uk in advance to a arrange a time and a member of staff will be happy to meet you at that arranged time. On arrival to the level 0 entrance if staff appear not to be present please use the bell to signal your arrival and staff will make their way to the entrance to open the door.

Accessibility checker

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