Overview

Wheelchair area in the auditorium not suitable for music events

Transport & Parking

We were staying at the nearby Premier Inn so travelled on foot and by wheelchair from there, although I did note that there were a couple of on-street disabled spaces on the road nearby, and disabled parking was free in the underground car park attached to the convention centre.

Access

There is good level access from the street to the foyer. Spacious inside and sweeping walkway up to the next floor; lifts from there to the wheelchair viewing area.

Toilets

Standard size, the one we used; a bit tight for manoeuvring a wheelchair.

Staff

Very helpful and disabled aware; it wasn't their fault the wheelchair viewing area was rubbish.

Anything else you wish to tell us?

This was our first visit to the Convention Centre, attending to see Deacon Blue; they were absolutely fantastic of course, but the purpose of this review is to give a perspective from a wheelchair user. The public areas of the auditorium were spacious and it was simple and speedy to get a drink, which were similarly priced to other venues. The auditorium itself had an intimate feel to it, the acoustics were very good and I don’t think there is a bad seat in the house …..for an able bodied person! The experience for a full time wheelchair user though is very different. The wheelchair area is at the front of block H and there is room for about six wheelchairs with one companion sat beside each wheelchair user. When we collected our tickets my wife was allocated a wheelchair space in row A and I was allocated a seat in row B, about six feet from her; that was not acceptable and we told the steward that. I was then allowed to sit next to my wife. The wheelchair row is about six or seven feet behind the last row of seats in block D and is quite close to the exit, the result being that folk were almost constantly walking past and obstructing the view. When folk weren’t walking past, the view of the stage from this area was really quite good, for the first hour at least. For most of the last hour of the show everyone that could stand was on their feet and as such I had a great view. My wife though, and the other wheelchair users nearby were treated to a fantastic view of the backs of the folk six or seven feet in front of them; consequently my wife could hear but not see the band for most of the last hour. If we were watching a comedy act or piece of theatre then the location of the wheelchair spaces would be ideal; for a concert though, where it is a given that folk will stand and dance, it is absolutely terrible. We will not visit this venue again for a music event unless they change the location of the wheelchair area.

Photos