Cumbernauld Theatre at Lanternhouse

kirbylover329

06 May 2025

Visiting Cumbernauld Theatre Cafe!

5

5

Date of visit: May 2025

I have experience of challenges around: a hidden impairment and understanding.

Overall Rating

Excellent

I go to Cumbernauld Theatre monthly as I attend an autistic adult coffee group that takes place there. Every visit I have had including this one has always been superb! The venue is bright and has lots of natural light that flows into the building. It is accessible by having disabled access front doors and two accessible toilets. The cafe is spacious and the seating can be moved around to meet the needs of wheelchair users. The venue also has a lift for those visiting the theatre and who need to access upstairs. I always enjoy every visit I have to the Cumbernauld Theatre cafe because it is always so accessible. As someone with hidden disabilities I always worry about using disabled toilets but I have never had an issue once with this venue. The food in the cafe is very well priced as well. The only thing about the venue is it can get busy at times with it being attached to the high school. A lot of the high school kids will come in for their lunch, they don't sit in the cafe as they aren't allowed to, however, it does mean that it can get quite busy and the que can be quite long sometimes.

Disabled Access In and Around

Good

The disabled access of this venue is fantastic. The doors are accessed via a button that you just push and then they open automatically, although I will admit sometimes this can be a bit tricky and hasn't always worked on the first press. There are two disabled toilets that are easily accessed. I am unsure about things such as braille and large print but on the screen in the cafe area there is a video that plays in sign language to tell you a bit about the venue and who to ask if you are unsure of anything. There are stairs but there is a lift for those unable to use the stairs to access the upper floor when needed. The cafe is on the ground floor and is spacious and although it can get busy at times chairs can be moved when needed to make it more accessible for wheelchair users. The signs within the venue are clear and it is easy to find where you are going.

Parking & Transport

Good

When I attend the group I go to, I usually get the train from Motherwell train station to Cumbernauld. Unfortunately the trains are only one per hour and this means I have to arrive an hour before the group starts or be late which is a bit problematic. Sometimes a friend of mine will pick me up at the station and other times I will get the bus from the bus stop outside Cumbernauld station. The bus journey only takes 5 minutes at most. You can either get the X25, X25A, 347 or 343 from Cumbernauld Station to Kenmore Road. You then get off the bus and cross via the underpass to the other side of the road and that is you there.

Accessible Toilets

Excellent

There are two accessible toilets which are both easy to find and access, neither require a radar key. The toilets are always spotless and offer free period products to those who may need them. There is space for a carer within the disabled toilet, and the venue also has a changing place toilet as well.

Staff

Good

The staff are always friendly and I have had very little issues when I attend. However, there has been on a couple of occasions some issues with the attitude of the cafe staff. The cafe staffs attitudes can vary and sometimes that and there tone could be better. However, I have never had an issue with anyone else in the venue at all and all other staff are lovely.