Accessible after a few checks were made
4
4
Date of visit: March 2017
I have experience of challenges around: moving around and seeing.
Overall Rating
Good
Screens 7 - 12 have flat access to halfway up the rows of seats so these are better if you're trying to avoid steps. Access to screens 1 - 6 is at the level of the bottom of the screen so only good for those who like a sore neck after their films! Although the accessibility info on the website is pretty sparse, and the phone line doesn't give you an option to speak to an actual human, this info was provided quickly and in a very friendly manner when I sent them a message on Facebook. There's a 'through' lift (cool! I'm such a big kid) up to the upstairs screens. The lift can be a bit dodgy though - sometimes the doors don't open upstairs and you have to go back down and get staff to help. The only problem I found was that the doors to the screens were closed and have to be pushed open, so this might pose some people a problem.
Disabled Access In and Around
Excellent
Easy access to cinema, lift up to the screens, screens 7-12 entrances halfway up the seat rows so steps can be avoided without having to get a crick in your neck by sitting at the bottom. Plenty of room to park the mobility scooter/wheelchair in front of your seat if you're in the 'entry' row. Minus half a mark for the 'push' door into the screen.
Parking & Transport
Excellent
Lots of Blue Badge spaces in each inside car park and directions to cinema clearly signed. Lifts at each car park and level access from there to the venue. Bus stops outside the building (flat access). Ask taxi to drop you at "the outside car park where Debenhams used to be" and you'll enter the building with the lift straight ahead of you.
Accessible Toilets
Average
Loos on level of screen - pretty tight and usually stinking from the nappy bin.
Staff
Excellent
Friendly and helpful, including the speed and tone of response to my Facebook enquiry about the seating in particular screens.
Additional Information
Website accessibility information could be improved as it claims to provide information but actually doesn't - and the phone line is rubbish (as anyone who's ever tried to do anything using a cinema's automated phone line knows). Oh. also it's always freezing in these screens, so make sure you're well wrapped up!
