Our building

[getting inside the building – 2-min video]

The Salisbury Centre is situated towards the end of the Salisbury Road, on the end closest to Dalkeith Road. We are placed between the Synagogue and The Salisbury Arms.

The entrance to the building is from Salisbury Road.

The pavement from Dalkeith Road has dropped kerbs, and The Centre’s entrance has partial slabbing to allow for mobility aid and wheelchair access from the archway closest to Dalkeith Road.

For floor layout, door dimensions and stair information please click here.

All our ground floor rooms are wheelchair accessible – however, the doors are unsupported and help with opening them may be required.

We have removable ramps to the Garden that are stored in the Art Room annexe. Wheelchair access to the garden is conditional on the Art Room not being in use for an event. Please contact us to check.

Please note that the Art Room garden access is available for all of our Seasonal Celebrations.

Our Garden front lawn is wheelchair accessible, while the rear part of the garden isn’t, due to uneven terrain.

The upstairs Studio is accessible via a chairlift. To use the chairlift, one needs to transfer out of the wheelchair and into the lift, while the wheelchair needs to be carried upstairs. In case of an emergency, we have an evacuation chair and our staff is trained in operating it.

If you have access needs, please contact [email protected] (if attending a seasonal celebration) or the facilitator/organiser (if attending a community or private event). We want to make sure there is a PEEP (Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan) in place.

Stairs to the Studio are supported by handrails, as are the steps to the Garden.

Our walls and ceilings are all painted white or beige. The building has high ceilings.

The communal kitchen has a low handwashing sink, accessible to wheelchair users and children.

The Centre has four all-gender toilets, including one fully accessible toilet equipped with an emergency call cord and level access for wheelchair users.

The Salisbury Centre aims to be accessible to all and we are committed to continually improving our facilities to increase access. If you have any questions about the above or recommendations on how we can improve, please email [email protected].

If you would require assistance to leave the building in the event of an emergency evacuation, please be sure to let us know in advance of your arrival. If you are organising an event as The Salisbury Centre, please be aware participants who require assistance need to have completed Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan form (PEEP).

These forms need to be completed with your participants personal information and specific access needs.

Transport

Getting here by bus

To reach the Centre, there are several buses that stop at Newington Road / Salisbury Place or Commonwealth Pool bus stops. These are operated by Lothian Buses and Borders Buses.

Buses at Newington Road / Salisbury Place: 3, 5, 7, 8, 29, 31, 33, 37, 47, 49, X62.

Buses at Commonwealth Pool: 2, 14, 30, 33, 51, X95.

Please check the Lothian Buses and Borders Buses websites for the most up to date information.

Getting here by car (parking info)

There is no parking at the Centre.

Limited on-street parking spots can be found on Salisbury Road – parking fees apply Monday-Friday, 08:30-17:30. We are in a Controlled Parking Zone number 7, which means the charge for parking is £4.60/hour.

You can pay at the parking machine on the street, or via RingGo app.

For most up-to-date information, please check the council parking rates.

The nearest free parking is in the Prestonfield area – a 15-minute walk from the Centre.

Please be mindful of the Low Emission Zone (LEZ), introduced in Edinburgh city centre. Certain vehicles can’t access that area. Although The Salisbury Centre isn’t inside the LEZ, it starts not far on Newington Road. Be mindful of that when coming by car.

Getting here by bike

We have five bike hoops just outside of the Centre. Additionally, we have recently installed a self-service bike-repair station where you can access a bike pump and basic tools in case of an emergency.

Accessibility for families

In the past few years, we have worked towards making the Centre more accessible for families, and are constantly improving. Here is what we provide at the moment:

• Baby changing table can be found in the cupboard next to the all-gender disabled toilet
• Baby highchair can be found in the kitchen
• The Salisbury Centre is a part of Breastfeeding Friendly Scotland Scheme
• Please don’t leave children unsupervised at the Centre. There is a pond in our garden, and occasionally sharp objects and tools may be lying around during DIY and garden workshops.

It’s your responsibility to make sure your child is safe and moving around the garden and building with care.

Donation-based events

We are happy to be able to offer a programme of donation-based community events, as part of our Community Empowerment Programme. These events are all donation-based and therefore accessible to all. No one will be turned away for financial reasons.

These events are marked by (C) on our calendar. This distinguishes them from the private hire events and courses that often (though not always) sell fixed-price tickets.

Additionally, all community events are listed on our printed programme which you can pick up in the Centre’s foyer.

To book your spot, please go to the website page of the specific event and check instructions for booking. Usually, this will be done via Eventbrite or emailing the organiser.

All our Seasonal Celebrations (such as Summer Solstice, Spring Equinox, etc.) and Community Meals (Friday Lunches and Community Suppers) are drop-ins, meaning you don’t have to book beforehand.

Use of the space

For the full Terms & Conditions of using the space, please refer to this document.

Some general expectations are outlined below.

• The Centre’s opening hours are 8 am – 10 pm.
• Our Office hours are: Fridays: 11:00-15:00
• Most of the staff team work part-time and aren’t always on site when the Centre is open.
• The community kitchen is available to all Centre users. Please be mindful of other people’s space, food items, and your time spent in the kitchen.
• Please clean after yourself and put dishes in the dishwasher.
• Help yourself to tea and coffee – consider leaving 50p-£2 donation to pay towards the costs.
• The Centre doesn’t currently operate on an open door policy. People come for specific events and the facilitators are responsible for making sure everyone leaves the building after the event.
• If you would like to arrange a visit, please get in touch with us at [email protected]
• Each room has its default setting captured on a photograph on the wall. Please make sure this is how you leave the room after your event.
• The Salisbury Centre is a no-substance premises. This means no alcohol and drugs permitted, as well as no smoking or vaping – including in the garden.
• There is a Residents community at the Centre. Please make sure you respect the private residents space, keeping in mind that The Salisbury Centre is their home.