Overview

A wheelchair accessible theatre where the staff were friendly and very helpful. It offered a free carer ticket which was great to see.

Transport & Parking

0

The venue itself has no parking however just a two minute wheel away is the Arcadian Centre car park which has plenty of spaces on 3 level but only 2 disabled spaces which was very disappointing especially as it had ample mother and child spaces. If you use this car park then level 3 is the correct level for access to the theatre.

Access

4

Access to the theatre was great as it was street level, there were some steps leading from the Arcadian Centre (where we parked) but there was a section that was ramped which was easy to self propelled. Inside the theatre there were 2 lifts to get to each level, the lifts could easily fit two wheelchairs and two standing passengers at the same time and it is right next to the stairs so if some members of your party climb the stairs then you don’t get lost trying to catch up with each other. As there were only two lifts and the night we went only one was working, this lead to quite a queue but by the time all the members in our party had used the toilet it had shrunk significantly so we only had to wait a few minutes. Although the entrance and facilities are modern the theatre itself is old but they have raised areas at the back of the stalls that they call lounges which accommodates wheelchairs and one carer with each chair. We were lucky because we booked the seats directly in front of the wheelchair area for the rest of our group so we were directly behind them. Access to the disabled area was by ramp and this was very steep, so just be aware of this going up but more so going back down as it feeds straight into the walkway for all other patrons leaving the stalls. Keep a good hold on those wheels and no freewheeling down the ramp! There were selected seats in the theatre where the seat next to the aisle had an arm rest which raised up if you wished to transfer from chair to seat. I noticed that the ushers were very helpful, moving walkers, crutches, empty wheelchairs to the back of the seating area when not needed and then returning them to their rightful owner, once the show was over.

Toilets

0

I did not visit the disabled toilet as there was no Changing Places toilet.

Staff

5

Staff were all incredible friendly and very helpful with everybody who had a visible disability.

Anything else you wish to tell us?

I’d never been to this theatre before so was a little apprehensive, as I often am with new places, wondering if their advertised accessibility was really accessible. I was not disappointed at all, with the exception of a very steep ramp to the disabled seating area (unavoidable as it was a very old theatre and this area had been added on) and no Changing Places toilet (we looked for signs and asked a staff member) I saw nowhere I couldn’t get to. There was an eating area and bar in the theatre but outside it is surrounded by restaurants and eating places to suit and taste and budget We had a great night out.