Visiting the ALLIANCE

The main entrance to the Venlaw Building is at street level, and wheelchair accessible entry to the building through the glass doors is activated by pressing the button on the right.  The main entrance has automatic glass doors and a low step into the building.  

Once in the building there are six steps up to the Venlaw reception which is accessed through automatic glass doors that open inwards, towards reception. When leaving these doors open towards you. The Venlaw reception is open from 8 am to 5.30 pm Monday to Friday and manned by a company called Reginal Reit.

If you are a wheelchair user, you can access the ALLIANCE by the platform lift which is situated to the right as you enter the main entrance and available to transport guests up to the Venlaw reception or down to the ALLIANCE office at the lower ground floor.  The platform lift has capacity for one wheelchair user; assistants can also travel in the lift at the same time.

The Venlaw reception is staffed by the building security/reception staff.  To use the platform lift, ring the bell on the left side of the lift, the receptionist will provide you with access and will leave their reception desk to meet you at the lift.  Should the receptionist be absent, please call 0141 404 0231 and a member of the ALLIANCE staff will assist.

If using the platform lift to reach the ALLIANCE office.  You should hold down the -1 button.  You must continue to hold this down until you have reached the office.  You will then exit the lift and turn right through the automatic door into the ALLIANCE office and turn right again.  The ALLIANCE reception is at the end of this corridor. 

Should you require sighted assistance/sighted guide, please contact the ALLIANCE on 0141 404 0231 in advance and someone will meet you at the main reception to assist.

If accessing the ALLIANCE office via the Venlaw reception area, you should turn right and follow the corridor to the end.  The last door on your right will lead you to a main stairwell where you will have the choice of using one of two lifts, on your left side or via 8 steps, a small landing, slight left and another 8 steps. The entrance to the office is on the left at the foot of the stairs.  Please ring the doorbell on right side of the door frame on arrival.

If using the lift, please select lower ground.  When exiting the lift, the ALLIANCE door will be on your right.

On the ground floor, along the corridor from reception, you will find toilets.  At the end of the corridor there is an accessible toilet on the left and a left turn after this will lead to male and female toilets.

The ALLIANCE office

The ALLIANCE office is open plan with 5 meeting rooms, hub area, kitchen and 2 offices.

There is a single-person use accessible toilet facilities, and a male and female toilet.  The accessible toilet is directly opposite the main entrance, the other toilets are to the right of the main entrance.

Travelling to the office

By car

From the east:

Exit the M8 at Junction 18.  After 100 metres turn left at the traffic lights onto Sauchiehall Street.  After 200 metres take the first road on the right onto Elmbank Street.  At the traffic lights turn right onto Bath Street.  After 100 metres you will see our offices on the left side.

From the west:

Exit the M8 at Junction 18.  Follow the slip road for 400 metres.  At traffic lights turn left onto St George’s Road.  After 400 metres turn left at the traffic lights and follow the road round onto Sauchiehall Street.  After 200 metres take the first road on the right onto Elmbank Street.  At the traffic lights turn right onto Bath Street.  After 100 metres you will our offices on the left side.

There is no accessible parking near the building entrance, however there is a drop-off area at the Kings Theatre, close to the Venlaw building.

Parking

There are usually spaces on Bath Street, on the opposite side of the road from the Venlaw Building.  If you have a blue disabled badge you can park free and for any length of time at on-street pay and display areas.  More details can be found on the Glasgow City Council website.

There is also a Glasgow City Council run car park on Elmbank Crescent.  This has 433 car parking spaces, lifts and blue badge spaces (payment is required).  There are 7 designated blue badge parking bays within the car park on the ground floor. Further information can be found on the access guide.  It is 176 yards from the car part to the Venlaw Building.

By train

The nearest station is Charing Cross, which is situated behind the office on Elmbank Crescent.  Low level trains run from Glasgow Queen Street to Charing Cross.  Charing Cross railway station has ramped access which leads to the ALLIANCE office.

You can check the train timetable on the Scotrail website.

By bus

There is a bus stop outside the ALLIANCE office.  

You can check the bus timetable on the First Bus website.

By bike

There is a bike rack available across the road from the Venlaw Building on Bath Street.

Fire safety and Emergency Evacuation

We have designated Fire Wardens to support in the event of a fire or other emergency evacuation and we are equipped with an evac chair.  The meeting point is outside Charing Cross railway station.

There are two designated fire exits from the building:

• The ALLIANCE office main door
• Double fire exit doors at the opposite end of the corridor.

Both of these exits have stairs leading out of the building.

There are two additional exits from the office:

• Double doors leading into the garden which have a ramp.  This exit will take you further from the building but there are stairs leading to street level. For wheelchair users, and others who are unable to use the stairs, access to street level can be sought via the car park
• Side entrance door at the accessible entrance.  This exit also has steps leading to street level.

When the emergency evacuation alarm is activated it will sound and the light will flash so that it may be heard and/or seen.  All occupants should proceed to leave the premises as quickly as possible via the protected routes.  You should not prolong your exit by detouring to collect belongings and you should not attempt to tackle the fire.

The meeting point is at the entrance to Charing Cross railway station.  You should meet their and wait for the fire wardens.  You must not re-enter the building until told to do so by a fire warden or the Fire Brigade.

If you discover a fire, please raise the alarm and then leave by your nearest exit.  The closest fire alarm call point to the ALLIANCE office is outside the main office door beside the lifts.  The fire alarm is tested every Friday at 10 am.

The ALLIANCE premises have sufficient fire safety signage such as “in the event of a fire” (detailing the meeting point) and green, directional wayfinding signage which should be followed to indicate the nearest escape route from the building.

Fire exit doors are identified by emergency lighting signage which will operate in the event of a power failure to ensure occupants are able to evacuate the premises.

Fire extinguishers (water, CO2 and foam) are provided in common areas within the premises. 

Visitors who require assistance to evacuate the premises in an emergency should make themselves known to Corporate Services on arrival.  In advance of your visit, arrangements can be made on an individual basis via Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan (PEEP).

Other Information

The ALLIANCE office has a First Aid Kit (located at reception) and a Defibrillator (located outside meeting room 2) on site.

The ALLIANCE also has a Fire Safety and Emergency Evacuation Policy.  You can read it here.

Meetings at the ALLIANCE

Induction loops are provided for meeting rooms to assist persons with hearing loss.

The ALLIANCE offers tea/coffee and water as standard for meetings with oat milk being offered as a vegan/non-dairy alternative.  Light weight mugs are also available for anyone who may require them.

In addition to this the ALLIANCE office is fully accessible as we have an accessible lift and restrooms, and our rooms can accommodate those with restricted mobility. Each of our rooms also come with a portable hearing loop.

Should you require a space for private prayer, let us know at the time of booking and we can arrange that for you.

Here is more information about meeting rooms.

If you feel the ALLIANCE could help with your event or facilitate a group booking, please fill in our bookings form and email to roombookings@alliance-scotland.org.uk.

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