New doors at Cheese and Grain to boost accessibility

THE Cheese and Grain has new electrically operated front doors to ease access for people using wheelchairs, parents with buggies or anyone who finds the heavy front doors difficult or inconvenient. 

The cost has been met by generous grants from the Discovery Community Foundation (which helps Somerset organisations wishing to become more autism and learning disability friendly) and Frome Town Rotary. Both the inner and outer double doors at the front of the building can be opened by simply pressing a pad and the doors will close automatically afterwards.

Designed and fitted by the Bristol-based company Erreka, the doors are the latest measure taken by the Cheese and Grain to improve access.

Director at the Cheese and Grain, Steve Macarthur, told the Frome Times that the venue had worked with an organisation called Attitude is Everything that was helping to devise practical measures to improve accessibility.

Steve went on say that for a flat-floor venue with many audience-standing performances, it was especially difficult to ensure that everyone can have the access they need to enjoy shows. “A clear view of the stage while staying safe was not as simple as might be supposed,” he said. “The attitude of managers and event staff is critical to make the best of how the venue is configured.”

Dan Grimes from the Cheese and Grain Voluntary Management Board said he was hugely grateful for the grants and for how the installers have risen to the challenge of ensuring the doors could cope with the very large visitor numbers.