La Belle Angèle

So many bands play here. I was so hopeful when I saw the wheelchair priority space up by the back bar. But the space would be tight - really tight - as punters flock to that area for merch and to buy drinks at the bar. Still, some might manage it. More info in photos and further sections in this review. I found some staff after the gig (in smoking area, so could chat a bit easier), and when I asked if there was a lift in the venue that I couldn't see (as it is at least a dozen, slippery, steep hundreds of years old stone steps to get into the venue) they said "good friends would just carry you in". This rubbed me up the wrong way. They could have said "no, it sucks, sorry, but no". To suggest wheelchair or powerchair users, whose chairs cost thousands of pounds, and who cannot risk a fall for their health, or would be seriously scared at being hoiked up those slippery uneven stone steps - don't blame lack of access on disabled people's pals for not being good enough friends! If that's a possibility for you, I hope the photos show what the view would look like and you can figure out if there would be enough space for you. That bar does get super busy.

I was made aware when I enquired that there was steps to the venue, I had made arrangements to have help with me to get me and my manual wheelchair up the stairs. I was told once I was up there it was all accessible, this was a lie. There is a large lip at the entrance that my manual chair could not get over. They did not have an accessible area to watch the gig , it was just space up the back beside the bar which meant I was blocked in the whole time. With the bar and merch stand being at the "accessible" area it was extremely difficult to navigate in a wheelchair with no help from any staff. The toilet was not accessible at they where using it to store dishware , the boxes took up that much room a wheelchair could not turn around. I mentioned it to staff and was told that there was nothing they could do. I was assaulted by a member of the public, they grabbed my wheelchair and tipped it backwards and even though the staff seen they done nothing. I emailed them multiple times and offered my help in improving accessibility but I had no response. I would advice everyone able bodied or not to stay away from la Belle Angele

I checked la belle angele website before buying a wheelchair ticket, did a reconnoitre of venue so I knew where to go only to discover no ramped or lift access yet their website says that there is a wheelchair accessible toilet! So you can relieve yourself but you can't get inside.