to my private view!”
Turner Contemporary, Margate’s seafront art gallery, is undoubtedly the place to go, writes Artie Flannell.
The gallery’s equity, diversity and inclusion statement affirms that it “wants to create a more inclusive and welcoming environment for all”. That includes the toilets.
A new category is added to the expected male, female and gender-neutral options. It is: those for whom the doors are too heavy to open and close without assistance.
The gallery’s online “accessibility” guide to its lavatories advises: “The doors may be heavy for some visitors. If you need assistance, please ask a member of staff and they will be happy to help.” (See illustration below)
The need for such assistance should not deter anyone from using the gallery’s facilities. No visitors should fear being forgotten and left locked in the lavatory (particularly groups of three old ladies!). The gallery is a serious place and it will not want to be associated with a rousing chorus of “Oh dear! What can the matter be…”
No pressure on users to go anywhere else
The gallery’s welcoming statement says, “Visitors to Turner Contemporary can enjoy the latest art exhibition, take part in tours or activities, or simply sit and relax in the café while enjoying views of the harbour.”
To this list I would add: make use of the toilet facilities. There are no better public conveniences in the town than those provided by the Turner! They are the loveliest in all Margate (to paraphrase J. W. M. Turner, after whom the gallery is named).
The toilets are first rate (even if the doors are heavy) and, in truth, every visitor to Margate should know about them.
Turner’s toilets are very easily accessible from the street, totally free of charge and users are not obliged to go anywhere else in the gallery or spend a penny in the shop.
Unlike the situation in other establishments, the Turner’s staff will not block a would-be user’s passage. “The toilets are for customers only!” will NOT be heard in the gallery. Neither will there be pressure to buy something unwanted in order to qualify for a seat in the lavatory. No one will be made to visit an exhibition before they can go (or after they’ve been).
There are many doors in the world of art and Turner Contemporary is to be congratulated for allowing these particular ones to be opened (with or without help) by anyone within reach of the gallery building and looking for a toilet.
P.S. Once they’ve been in the ground-floor toilets, visitors might like to go upstairs where they can engage with the art on show. It would be a shame to miss it!
