The Atkinson

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About

The Atkinson is a stunning Grade II listed nineteenth century building which has been refurbished with a strong contemporary feel situated in the middle of Lord Street in Southport, and its mission is to be a regional centre for excellence and enjoyment of arts, culture and heritage. As well as its art gallery and museum, which regularly host major exhibitions, it has a theatre and two studio spaces where you can see performances from some of the UK's foremost musicians, actors and dancers. The Atkinson also has a shop selling a stunning selection of gifts and contemporary crafts from regional makers, and is home to Sefton library and a café called 'A Great Little Place', selling delicious hot and cold food, cakes and drinks. This café is a social enterprise by Autism Ventures, a subsidiary of the charity Autism Initiatives UK. The Atkinson offers an exciting and varied destination for families, cultural tourists and arts enthusiasts alike and we hope you enjoy your visit.

Reviews

Overall rating

(1 review)

Overall rating breakdown

5 1
4 0
3 0
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1 0

Access (avg.)

Parking (avg.)

Toilets (avg.)

Staff (avg.)

safe

Dec 2020

Wizard of Oz - A great night, just what I needed

My name is Matthew, I am disabled and I use an electric wheelchair. For my birthday in October a friend gave me tickets to see the Wizard of Oz pantomime at the Atkinson Centre. I went with my Dad and a friend. Dad and I are regular theatre goers and would normally be looking forward to the evening but this time we were super excited because it was our first outing since the Coronavirus pandemic started earlier this year in March. We were also very apprehensive as social distancing measures were still in place. We didn’t know what to expect and wondered how safe we would be. From the beginning the staff at the Atkinson reassured us. We pre ordered our drinks crisps etc. for the interval from the box office and were given information on the time we were to arrive and what to expect. On the night we arrived at the time stated. Staff took our temperatures, ticked our names off the list and showed us to our seats. The theatre was socially distanced full about 100 seats. The performance was really great. My favourite characters were the lion, the tin man and the scarecrow. Everyone seemed to rise to the occasion trying to make up for the reduced audience. At the interval our pre ordered drinks were a little mixed up but the staff were on to it right away and got it sorted. Everything was conducted in a safe and friendly way. Seats not in use were clearly indicated and directions easy to follow. At the end we were the last to leave. Everyone went out in sections directed by the house manager. It was a happy crowd leaving the theatre, everyone enjoyed the show and the staff thanked us all for going. We had a really great and safe time and felt full of Christmas cheer and ready to enjoy our small family Christmas.

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Disabled Access Information Provided by The Atkinson

Disabled Access at The Atkinson

Access is at street level, the main entrance is a paved flat surface with a slight uphill gradient. There are two automatic doors at the main entrance. There is a lift to all floors i.e. first floor and second floor. Ramps allow for wheelchair access to the ground floor lift. Wheelchairs are available on site for visitor use if required. The shop and box office are on the left hand side of the main entrance and are step-free from the flat level entrance. The shop is suitable for a conventional manual wheelchair. A section of the shop counter is lowered for access. An induction loop is set up on our box office counter. A Great Little Place café is on the right hand side of the main entrance and fully accessible with no steps. The Performance Spaces The theatre is on the first floor. The auditorium has a hearing loop system. Please request assistance at the box office. Full infra-red emitters are in all our performance spaces. Wheelchair spaces are available on the ground level section of the auditorium. Wheelchairs enter the theatre from the first floor. There is a lift and a member of the team is always on hand to help. There are two studio spaces - one on the first floor and one on the second floor. There is a lift to each floor, with ramp access for wheelchairs to the lift, and a member of the team is always on hand to help. Wheelchairs enter the studio through the main doors – there are no steps. The Hideout The Atkinson has a 'calm space' called 'The Hideout' on the second floor, installed in an alcove, it features calming sensory projections, curtains to make the space more private, sensory toys and a reading area featuring learning and sensory books from Sefton library providing a space for SEND children and their families to enjoy. The Bars The theatre bar is on the first floor. It has no steps and the counter is lowered in the centre for access. The studio on the first floor has a bar within the actual performance space on the left hand side, and the counter is lowered for access. The Library The library is on the ground floor. There is ramp access for wheelchairs to the entrance. There is a lower level access point at the cash desk. All public use computers have software installed to increase text size. The computers are wheelchair accessible with adjustable table heights available. A large format colour coded keyboard and mouse are available on request. There is a portable hearing loop available on request. The Atkinson strives to provide for the needs of its visitors and is willing to accommodate requests from disabled visitors if at all reasonably possible. Carers are not charged for priced events when accompanying a disabled visitor. Assistance dogs are welcome.

Accessible parking at The Atkinson

We have two labelled disabled parking spaces directly in front of the building. They have been marked out to specifications, as advised by Southport Access For Everyone (SAFE). They are the nearest two spaces to the front door and should now be left vacant until required by Atkinson patrons who hold blue badges. These spaces are available on a first come, first served basis. Drop-off is possible outside The Atkinson’s main entrance – access is from the bollards outside Southport Town Hall. Please press the button and a member of the team will buzz you in. The Atkinson is in the centre of Southport and has a number of car parks close by including those on Tulketh Street, the train station and a park and ride service from the Esplanade. After 6.00pm there is FREE on street parking available throughout the town.

Dedicated on site parking

Toilets features at The Atkinson

Ground Floor On the ground floor there is an accessible toilet for disabled visitors in between the foyer and the library. This is opened with a radar key. If you don’t have one, please ask a member of staff at the box office for a key. The toilet has a horizontal rail to assist door closing, a coat hook, a higher toilet pan, vertical and horizontal grab rails, a drop down rail, disposal bin, a basin with a lever tap, soap dispenser, hand dryer and general waste bin. There is also an emergency alarm pull cord facility for assistance. First Floor On the first floor there is an adult changing facility with an accessible toilet for disabled visitors opposite the theatre bar. This is opened with a radar key. If you don’t have one, please ask a member of staff who will be happy to help and get one for you at the box office. The changing facility/toilet has a horizontal rail to assist door closing and is fully lockable. There is also an emergency alarm pull cord facility for assistance. The changing facility/toilet has a changing bed and hoist, shower handset and hose which can also be fixed to a slide rail, paper towel dispenser, vertical grab rail, privacy screen, disposal bin, 18 inch square mirror and coat hook. There is also a basin with a lever tap, soap dispenser, hand dryer and general waste bin. The toilet has drop down rails either side of the toilet pan and a higher toilet pan. Second Floor On the second floor there is an accessible toilet for disabled visitors opposite the 'calm space' called 'The Hideout'. This is opened with a radar key. If you don’t have one, please ask a member of staff who will be happy to help and get one for you at the box office. The toilet has a horizontal rail to assist door closing, a coat hook, a higher toilet pan, vertical and horizontal grab rails, a drop down rail, disposal bin, a basin with a lever tap, soap dispenser, hand dryer and general waste bin. There is also an emergency alarm pull cord facility for assistance.

Accessible toilet

A designated accessible toilet designed for wheelchair users and others with visible and non-visible accessibility requirements is available within the main public areas.

Changing Places toilet

There is a Changing Places toilet, which includes an adult-size changing bench, toilet, sink and hoist.

Accessible services at The Atkinson

Assistive listening system - Hearing Loop

There is an assistive listening system available e.g. a hearing loop.

Assistive listening system - Infrared

Other features at The Atkinson

Wi-Fi

Wi-Fi is available for customers.

Carers Discount

More Information

For additional detailed accessibility information, please contact: hello@theatkinson.co.uk

The Atkinson

About

Reviews

Disabled Access Information Provided by The Atkinson

Disabled Access at The Atkinson

Accessible parking at The Atkinson

Toilets features at The Atkinson

Accessible services at The Atkinson

Other features at The Atkinson

More Information

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