Patronising staff & lack of accessibility
1
1
Date of visit: February 2019
I have experience of challenges around: moving around
Overall Rating
Bad
Just about accessible but as a 2nd class citizen with rude staff.
Disabled Access In and Around
0No signage at all. The so called 'disabled entrance' involves a very steep gradient into and across the car park and to a side door, locked from the inside. There is no shelter and patrons have to bang loudly on the door for it to be opened. Despite able bodied patrons being allowed to wait in the theatre foyer if cold and/or wet, those using the disabled entrance are made to wait until exactly 20 minutes before the show starts.
Parking & Transport
0NO disabled parking. The venue is on a hill with a small carpark up a very steep slope. The carpark used by staff only, no dispensation given for blue badge holders. The roads around the theatre are very narrow and all with double yellow lines. The nearest bus stop means an uphill struggle from the town centre on very narrow footpaths
Accessible Toilets
Bad
One small wheelchair accessible toilet, no room to turn a wheelchair round and no room for a carer. One pull down handrail. Dirty and untidy.
Staff
0Very rude, very patronising. One member of staff chose to attempt to move me into another space by suddenly grabbing the back of my wheelchair and pulling me backwards without warning or a word being said other than 'I'll move this one' to a colleague (I am an active, independent manual chair user) and was very rude when I asked her to let go of my chair. The exit/entry door for wheelchair users (a side fire door) is opened by a stiff bar. The members of staff (2) standing beside the door refused assistance and stood watching me struggle.
Additional Information
The ticket office is very hard to get to, having to enter the side door and make your way up the aisle, through the narrow, hard to open door and into the foyer situated at the front of the building. The attitude towards disabled patrons gives the distinct impression that all are an inconvenience. I would never visit again or recommend this venue for disabled patrons.
