Underbelly George Square

stevejan

10 Aug 2017

Great venue with helpful assistance

4.5

4.5

Date of visit: August 2017

I have experience of challenges around: moving around

Overall Rating

Excellent

The Underbelly is a wheelchair accessible theatre with well organised support set within the equally accessible George Square Gardens. Only minor drawbacks a cobbled street to cross to get there and poorly designed doorway on the accessible loos.

Disabled Access In and Around

Excellent

Signage a bit lacking for the Underbelly itself - it wasn't clear from the signs that this was within the Underbelly. There is a cobbled street to cross into George Square Gardens but once you've negotiated that the entire garden area has smooth paths and gentle ramps onto the artificial lawn area. The Underbelly theatre itself has wheelchair access via a ramp at the side (main entrance is up about 6 steps) taking you in 'backstage' and straight to our front row reserved seats. Pre booked our tickets through the Fringe Office Access bookings hotline. Checked online for accessibility but then followed up with an email. The great team at the Fringe Office double check with the venue that access is in fact as stated and then advise the venue of your booking so they can expect you.

Parking & Transport

Good

Parked in disabled on street parking

Accessible Toilets

Average

The 'disabled moo loos' in George Square were clearly signposted and situated beside the ladies and gents. There was a ramp to the toilet door but unfortunately the door opened out the way necessitating any wheelchair user to pull the door open while rolling back down the slope. The loo had grab rails and plenty of space inside. It also had a sharps box which was alarmingly open (but fortunately empty) when we were there.

Staff

Excellent

Knowledgeable staff clearly visible and they were expecting us

Additional Information

If there was a change to the way the door to the loo opened or even if there was a bigger flat space at the top of the ramp that would help. I chose our shows online, then emailed the list to the Fringe Access bookings service so they could double check the venues. They emailed back, confirming accessibility and PA ticket, I then phoned to pay for them. I come every year.