intoBodmin (The Old Library)

    A welcoming café and shared community space in Bodmin

    Description

    Located within the historic Old Library building, intoBodmin has been thoughtfully transformed into a welcoming café and shared community space. The venue offers a range of facilities including rooms for hire, co-working spaces, a community garden and regular group activities that bring the local community together.

    The space is designed to be flexible and inclusive, catering to a wide variety of users—from individuals looking for a quiet place to work, to community groups and families seeking a relaxed environment.

    Location
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    Detailed description

    Located within the historic Old Library building, intoBodmin has been thoughtfully transformed into a welcoming café and shared community space. The venue offers a range of facilities including rooms for hire, co-working spaces, and regular group activities that bring the local community together.

    The space is designed to be flexible and inclusive, catering to a wide variety of users—from individuals looking for a quiet place to work, to community groups and families seeking a relaxed environment.

    offers a highly accessible and inclusive environment, with thoughtful design and practical features that support a wide range of needs. The combination of step-free access, lift provision, and well-managed internal spaces ensures that visitors can move freely throughout the building.

    Key strengths include:

    • Step-free access via a power-assisted rear entrance
    • Lift access to all floors
    • Accessible toilet with baby changing facilities
    • Effective use of acoustic panelling to reduce noise
    • Flexible spaces including co-working areas and private rooms
    • A welcoming and supportive staff team.

    The main consideration for visitors is the lack of onsite parking and the uphill location, which may require additional planning, but there is on-street parking close by.

    Overall, the venue demonstrates a strong commitment to accessibility and community inclusion.

    Parking

    There is no onsite parking available at the venue. Limited on-street parking can be found nearby on Lower Bore Street and Higher Bore Street, although availability may vary. There is accessible parking at Priory Car Park about 5 minutes walk away, and Berryfield Car Park, however, there is a steep gradient uphill from these car parks, which may present a challenge for some visitors.

    Access to the building is well considered. While the front entrance includes steps, there is a fully accessible entrance at the rear of the building, equipped with a power-assisted door to support wheelchair users and those with limited mobility.

    Toilet facilities

    There is an accessible toilet which also has baby change facilities available for public use on the ground floor.

    Mobility / Wheelchair Support

    The venue provides strong accessibility throughout. The rear entrance offers step-free access, and once inside, visitors can move easily through the ground floor spaces.

    A lift is available, providing access to the first floor where the co-working areas are located. This ensures that all levels of the building are accessible to wheelchair users and those who may find stairs difficult.

    The layout is spacious, with plenty of seating available throughout the café and communal areas. An accessible toilet with baby changing facilities is also available, supporting a wide range of visitor needs.

    Overall, the venue enables wheelchair users to fully participate in all aspects of the space—from socialising in the café to attending meetings or using the co-working facilities.

    Vision Impairment Support

    There is step free access via the rear of the cafe, although this is not signposted from the front of the building.

    There is step free access throughout the rest of the building with a lift from the lower to upper floor.

    Lighting levels throughout the venue are good, supporting clear visibility across spaces. Signage is generally adequate, although there is some scope to improve contrast and clarity to further support visually impaired visitors.

    There is currently no confirmed provision of large print or alternative format materials, which may limit accessibility for some users.

    No specific hazards such as uneven surfaces or unmarked steps were identified, and the overall layout appears straightforward to navigate.

    Hearing Impairment Support

    A notable strength of the venue is its use of acoustic panelling throughout the building. This significantly reduces background noise and creates a quieter, more comfortable environment, particularly beneficial for those with hearing impairments or sensory sensitivities.

    Noise levels are generally quiet and manageable, supporting conversation and focus. While there is no hearing loop system in place, the venue does provide both audio and visual alarm systems, which is a positive inclusion for safety.

    Staff communication awareness is adequate, and the calm acoustic environment further enhances accessibility in this area.

    Autism support

    In to Bodmin has clearly considered sensory needs within its design. The use of acoustic panelling helps to minimise noise, creating a calm and comfortable atmosphere throughout the building.

    Additionally, there are rooms available that can be used as quieter breakout spaces if required. This flexibility allows visitors to step away from busier areas and manage sensory input more effectively.

    While there are no sensory kits or visual guides currently available, the overall environment is well suited to supporting neurodivergent visitors.

    Learning Support

    The venue offers a supportive and welcoming environment, with staff playing a key role in assisting visitors. Signage is clear and easy to understand, which helps with navigation throughout the building.

     

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