Whitehall Theatre

emscott

20 Feb 2024

Old theatre accessibility issues

2.5

2.5

Date of visit: February 2024

I am a disabled person. I have experience of challenges around: a hidden impairment, accessing toilets and moving around.

I use or have experience of: disabled toilet, hidden impairment, mobility scooter, powerchair, toilets, walking aid, wheelchair

Overall Rating

Average

Having visited Whitehall a number of times in my manual wheelchair and witnessed others attending in powerchairs this theatre has accessibility issues which I have raised with management and staff.

Disabled Access In and Around

Poor

No signage. Went to main entrance assuming access was there. Staff member came out to assist and said bar was extremely busy and difficult to navigate. Disabled access is around side of building (opposite side to car park) along a paved and COBBLED path. This made it difficult in a manual chair and would also be difficult in an indoor or folding power chair. I pointed out cobbles, they were aesthetic no reason for them, staff member had never thought about it that way. There is a ramp access on uneven paving from Hawkhill which is not too steep, again not signposted. Entrance is a fire door that you need someone to open and hold for you. Two disabled toilets are in a foyer where there is a corridor leading back up to bar (ramp), door to front of stalls and a door backstage. I appreciated being shown this entrance as would not have found it myself. Wheelchair seating is in row B which is directly in front of the door to stalls or across on far side of row A. You have one seat behind you but noone in it so can back right up to it. If people seated either side of you it is a tight squeeze and uncomfortable for all. I suggest requesting one of the two aisle spaces. At one performance I attended large box speakers were in front of me. This meant I had to remove my footrests to let people past. During interval I had to turn and fold my wheelchair to allow refreshments trolley past, she had told me beforehand she would need past. If unable to get out of wheelchair you would need to go to foyer area if the speakers were in the way. Curtain and fire doors are closed during performance but staff member present to open if you need to leave/go to toilet. It would be difficult to get to bar during interval as busy and uphill ramps on carpet.

Parking & Transport

Average

There are 2 disabled parking spaces to the side of the building just off Bellfield Street. As well as private parking, and a council car park. We arrived 30mins before performance and luckily got a disabled space but no other parking spaces left. You would have to be dropped off or park in nearby streets, large car park (Hawkhill). A longer walk to theatre.

Accessible Toilets

Good

Two accessible toilets were ok a bit small if in a power chair or if you needed assistance. Appreciated having them near wheelchair spaces and disabled entrance.

Staff

Good

Very helpful and informative. Apologetic for situation regarding wheelchairs.