Rainbows End access problems

Story: John Mellor

Rainbows End charity shop on Spital Hill, which has occupied part of Sorby House since December 2008, is experiencing problems in accessing storage space and the refuse disposal area at the rear of the building.

Previously goods being transferred between the shop and the storage space have been taken through the Sorby House reception area into the lift. However, since October last year, when several Council departments were relocated in Sorby House, this route has been closed to Rainbows End volunteers.

The manager of Rainbows End, Yvonne Hayes, told the Messenger:

“This change of policy makes the day-today running of the charity shop much more difficult. Access between the shop and the rear of Sorby House is essential in order to transfer items, including furniture, and to remove rubbish.

Repeated complaints to Kier (who manage Sorby House) about this problem have received no response. Volunteers now have to use a circuitous route, with health and safety implications for both volunteers and pedestrians. In addition, access to the gate at the rear of Sorby House is often blocked by parked cars.”

Yvonne explained:

“I understand that the increased use of Sorby House creates health and safety issues in moving items of furniture through the building but the trolley used to transfer smaller items is no larger than a push chair. There have not been any problems previously in using this route.”

Yvonne went on to say:

“An alternative solution would be to open up an existing staircase from the storage space which leads directly into the back of the shop. The cost of this has been estimated as £4,500 but it would make access much simpler and safer.”

Kier told the Messenger:

“We met with the trustees of Rainbows End last year to tell them that the informal arrangement of using the lift within the main building to move goods presented problems for other users and would no longer be possible. The lift is not a goods lift and has broken down on several occasions due to overloading. We would be willing to meet with Rainbows End to try to find a solution to this problem.”