Access Guide
Overview
-
About
View
- Beggar's Theatre is a community-focused arts, music and performance venue.
- Facilities available in the venue include: toilets, performance space and theatre bar.
- View information on opening times
-
Parking and Public Transport
View
- The venue does not have its own car park.
- There is on-street Blue Badge Bay parking, on-street standard parking and a public car park nearby.
- The nearest parking is located on Lancashire Road.
- View information on Lancashire Road Car Park (opens new tab) .
- The nearest train station is Millom.
- For the latest travel options and information you can plan your travel using Google Maps (opens new tab).
- View information on getting here (opens new tab) .
-
Getting In and Around
View
- There is step-free access via a portable ramp at the most accessible entrance.
- Prior arrangements can be made with the venue to support any access needs for events and performances.
- There is step-free level access throughout the majority of areas, this may include the use of a lift.
- The following areas have stepped access: the upper level seating area and bar.
- Access throughout may include manual doors and doors permanently held open.
- The auditorium can be accessed via a stair lift.
- There is not a toilet with adaptations available.
-
Getting Help and Assistance
View
- There is seating available.
- There is a fixed hearing assistance system.
- You can borrow or hire the following equipment: a manual wheelchair.
- There is a designated safe space which can be used by people with dementia, autism or learning disabilities.
- The designated safe space is located on the mezzanine floor.
- There is a water bowl available for assistance dogs.
- Staff receive the following training: Safeguarding, First Aid.
Entrance (Theatre Foyer)
- This entrance is located off the main square.
- The approach to the entrance has uneven surfaces.
- The entrance area is clearly signed.
- There is a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at the entrance.
- There is step-free access via a portable ramp at the entrance.
- The ramp has a slight gradient.
- The ramp is between 75cm and 150cm wide with no handrails.
- The ramp bypasses the step.
- There is 1 step with no handrails.
- The step is unmarked.
- The height of the step is between 15cm and 18cm.
- The height of the highest step is 19cm.
- There are double manual doors at this entrance.
- The doors open towards you.
- The doors are easy to open.
- The width of the opening is 125cm.
- There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
- The doors have a high visual contrast.
- There is stepped access as you enter.
- The lift bypasses the steps.
- There are 20+ steps with a central handrail.
- The handrail is easy to grip.
- The handrail covers the flight of stairs throughout its length.
- The handrail does not extend horizontally beyond the first and last step.
- The steps are clearly marked.
- The height of the step is between 15cm and 18cm.
- The height of the highest step is 15cm.
- The depth of the steps is not between 30cm and 45cm.
Stairs
- The stairs surveyed are located ahead after entering via the main door.
- The ticket desk, auditorium and toilets can be accessed by these stairs.
- There are 20+ steps between floors.
- The steps are clearly marked and have a central handrail.
- The handrail is easy to grip.
- The handrail covers the flight of stairs throughout its length.
- The height of the steps is between 15cm and 18cm.
- The height of the highest step is 15cm.
- The depth of the steps is not between 30cm and 45cm.
- Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
Lift (Chair Stair Lift)
- The lift surveyed is located on the right hand side of the staircase.
- This lift is a chair stair lift.
- The distance from the entrance is 1m.
- The most accessible route to the lift has a slight ramp or slope and manual doors.
- The ticket desk, auditorium and toilets are accessed by this lift.
- The lift has a level manoeuvring space in front of it for a wheelchair user (150cm x 150cm).
- All of the external lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
- The lift seat is 58cm from the floor.
- Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
Entrance (Auditorium)
- This entrance is located to the left at the top of the stairs.
- The entrance area is not clearly signed.
- There is step-free level access at the entrance.
- There are double manual doors at this entrance, however one door is locked or bolted.
- The locked door can be opened on request.
- The door is permanently held open.
- The door requires effort to open.
- The width of the opening is 65cm.
- There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
- The doors have a high visual contrast.
- This door is held open before and after performances, but closed during performances.
- There is step-free level access as you enter.
Ticketing
-
Ticket Counter
View
- The ticket counter surveyed is located on the left hand side after entering the auditorium.
- There is step-free level access to the counter.
- The height of the counter is 122cm.
- There is a lowered section at the counter.
- The height of the lowered section is 84cm.
- There is a clearly signed fixed hearing assistance system.
- The hearing assistance system could not be tested at the time of the survey.
Theatre
-
Theatre Information
View
- Advanced bookings are available.
- Concessions are available.
- Selected shows have concessionary rates.
- Captioned performances are not available.
- Signed performances are not available.
- Audio described performances are not available.
- Autism friendly/relaxed performances are available.
- Selected shows have relaxed performances.
- Sensory friendly performances are not available.
- There is a fixed hearing assistance system.
- The hearing assistance system could not be tested at the time of the survey.
-
Auditorium
View
- The most accessible route to the auditorium has a stair lift, slight ramps or slopes, manual doors and doors permanently held open.
- There is step-free level access to a row of seating.
- Seating available includes: chairs without armrests.
- Visitors with access or mobility needs are supported by the theatre staff. Seating can be ensured in an aisle, or other preferred area.
Stairs (to Theatre Bar)
- The stairs surveyed are located at either side of the Auditorium.
- The bar and upper level seating areas can be accessed by these stairs.
- There are 15 steps between floors.
- The steps are clearly marked and have handrails on both sides.
- The handrails are easy to grip.
- The handrails cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
- The handrails extend horizontally beyond the first and last step.
- The height of the steps is between 15cm and 18cm.
- The height of the highest step is 17cm.
- The depth of the steps is not between 30cm and 45cm.
- The steps have open risers.
- Lighting levels were low at the time of the survey.
- Lighting levels are adjustable.
Eating and Drinking (Theatre Bar)
-
Location and Access
View
- The bar is located on the upper level, above the main theatre seating area.
- The most accessible route has steps.
- There is stepped access into this area.
-
Service
View
- This area has a bar where drinks can be ordered and colleagues who can provide assistance with ordering.
- Full table service is available on request only.
- The following are available: drinking straws and takeaway cups.
- There is not a hearing assistance system.
-
Order and Payment
View
- The bar was surveyed.
- The counter is located towards the rear of the area.
- There is step-free level access to the counter.
- The height of the counter is 123cm.
- There is not a lowered section at the counter.
-
Seating Area
View
- There is space for an assistance dog to rest.
- Some flooring is shiny and patterned.
- The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
- Seating available in this area includes: chairs without armrests, armchairs and sofas.
- Furniture available in this area includes: coffee tables.
- There is background noise in this area which varies depending on the function/event.
- Lighting levels were low at the time of the survey.
- Lighting levels are adjustable.
- The layout of this area may change depending on the event.
Standard Toilet Facilities
- The male and female standard toilet facilities were surveyed.
- The toilets are located on the right after entering the auditorium.
- The distance from the ticket desk is 1m.
- The most accessible route has step-free level access, manual doors, doors permanently held open and narrow openings.
- There is step-free level access into the toilets.
- There is written text signage on or near the door.
- The door opens inwards and has a low visual contrast.
- The door is easy to open.
- The width of the door opening is 70cm.
- Internally the door has a high visual contrast.
- There are no ambulant toilet facilities available.
- There is a wash basin, a soap dispenser, a hand towel and a hand dryer available.
- The wash basin has a twist turn mixer tap.
- Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
