Venue Description

The Howard Assembly Room is a captivating, inspiring performance venue in the centre of Leeds. This beautifully restored venue is loved for its rich and varied programme of music, film, words and performance, and has welcomed world-class musicians, performers and writers including Brad Mehldau, The Unthanks, Dhafer Youssef, The Tallis Scholars and Joanna MacGregor. The 300 capacity venue is curated by the award-winning national opera company, Opera North. The company's fresh and vibrant approach to the art form is reflected in the range of gigs, film screenings, talks, workshops and installations that are presented in the Howard Assembly Room.

Accessibility

* You can access the venue through the new Howard Assembly Room foyer on New Briggate. * Entrance to the Howard Assembly Room is through the Opera North box office and the Howard Assembly Room Foyer on New Briggate. * The Opera North box office is situated on ground level. * There are automatic doors/push pad to access the Opera North box office. * From the box office, there is a platform lift to get into the atrium and a front of house standard lift which goes to all floors (number 2 for Stalls, number 3 for Gallery). * From the Atrium, there is also a standard lift which goes to all floors. * There are two dedicated wheelchair spaces in the Stalls on floor 2, but this can be easily increased if more are required. * There are 2 accessible toilets situated on floor 1. * Support dogs are welcome in the venue and can be looked after on request. * We have hearing loops installed at the Howard Assembly Room box office, and in the venue itself.

Accessibility Guide

Accessibility Guide Link: https://www.operanorth.co.uk/access-howard-assembly-room/

Accessible Performances

The Howard Assembly Room programmes relaxed performances throughout the year.

Awards List

Opera North is one of the pilot organisations for 'All In', the new access scheme for creativity and culture in the UK and Ireland.

Toilets

There are 2 accessible toilets on level 1 with doors wide enough for manual and power wheelchairs and easy-turn lock and taps.

Staff

All our box office staff are dementia friends.

Assistance dog facilities

Assistance dog exercise facilities

Support and guide dogs are welcome in the venue and can be looked after on request.  Guidelines for attending with a dog: *We recommend contacting the Box Office to make your booking. You can do this: In Person: 12pm – 2pm Monday to Friday plus Saturday performance days. By Phone: 0113 223 3600 12pm – 6pm Monday to Friday plus Saturday performance days. *We ask that assistance dogs are fully house trained. *You can take your assistant dog into the auditorium with you. *We recommend booking an aisle seat. *On arrival we will inform you of any theatrical effects such as flashing lights and loud noises. *If you feel it is inappropriate for the dog to be in the auditorium, the dog can stay with a staff member. *To ensure a safe place for all visitors we ask that dogs are either kept in a travel basket or similar, or on a lead throughout their visit. *The owner is responsible for the dog at all times.