Skip to main content
The new name for DisabledGo

Search for accessible places to go

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

City Halls Stage Door

87 Albion Street, Merchant City, Glasgow, G1 1NY

View Accessibility Symbols

Accessibility Symbols

For more information about what these symbols mean, view our Accessibility Symbols Guide.

Close this popup window.

Access Guide

Show Easy Read

Overview

  • About View
    • This is the backstage area of the City Halls and Old Fruitmarket venues, location of the Stage Door entrance and reception, dressing rooms and practice rooms.
      The venue is also home to private clients and facilities, whose rooms are located on level 1 and the upper levels 3, 5, and 7.
    • Facilities available in the venue include: the stage door reception, practice rooms, production offices, dressing rooms, changing area, toilets and showers.
  • Parking and Public Transport View
  • Getting In and Around View
    • There is step-free level access at the most accessible entrance.
    • There is a public entrance on Candleriggs that is only open during events at the City Halls and Old Fruitmarket.
    • There is step-free level access throughout the majority of areas, this may include the use of a lift.
    • The following areas have step-free access via ramps or slopes: the link corridor between the front and the rear of the building and the recital rooms.
    • The following areas have stepped access: the female toilet facilities on level 2 and the Grand Hall choir stalls on level 6.
    • Access throughout may include manual doors.
    • The levels 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 can be accessed via a standard lift and stairs.
    • Facilities are located on the following floors:-
      Level 1 - stage door, reception, Old Fruitmarket stage, Scottish Music Centre, toilets
      Level 2 - dressing rooms, recording studios, toilets, showers
      Level 3 - BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra
      Level 4 - Grand Hall stage
      Level 5 - studios, large education workshop.
  • Getting Help and Assistance View
    • There is seating available.
    • You can borrow or hire the following equipment: a manual wheelchair.
    • British Sign Language Interpreters can be requested prior to your visit.
    • Documents are available in the following formats: Braille (on request) and large print (on request).
    • Glasgow City Halls offers the free Sennheiser MobileConnect app for assistive listening, available on iOS and Android. You can use this app with your own smartphone and headphones, neck loop, or hearing aids to listen to events. To use it, download the app, connect to the "Hearing Assist" WiFi network within the venue, and then adjust the sound levels to your preference.
    • There is a water bowl available for assistance dogs.
    • There is not a designated assistance dog spending area.
    • Additional facilities/services include: Wi-Fi.
  • Related Access Guides View

Toilet and Changing Facilities

  • Toilet Facilities View
    • There are 4 toilets with adaptations.
    • Toilets with adaptations are located on level 2 next to the dressing rooms, and on levels 3, 5, and 7.
    • The transfer space varies between left and right in the toilets with adaptations.
    • An additional toilet with adaptations may be found on level 1 in the front to rear ramped corridor to the front of house. The ramp is steep in parts.
    • The male and female step-free standard toilet facilities are located on level 1 on the front to rear ramped corridor to the front of house. The ramp is steep in parts.
    • The male and female standard toilet facilities are located on levels 2 and 5.
    • There is stepped access to the female toilet facilities backstage on level 2.
    • The toilet facilities on level 1 are also used by the general public during events in the City Halls and Old Fruitmarket.
  • Changing Places and Changing Facilities View
    • Standard changing facilities are located on level 2.
    • Parent and baby changing facilities are located on levels 1 and 2.
    • Baby changing facilities at the front of house may be accessed from backstage via the link corridors on levels 1 and 2.
  • Washroom and Shower Facilities View
    • The shower facilities which have adaptations are located on level 2 in the toilet with adaptations facility.
    • Standard shower facilities are located on level 2 in the staff changing rooms.
    • The main and lead dressing rooms are located on level 2.
    • Performers' locker facilities are available on level 2 in the main corridor.
    • Staff changing rooms are located on level 2 including locker facilities.

Parking

  • On-street Parking View
    • The on-street designated Blue Badge parking bays are located on Albion Street.
    • The Blue Badge bays are clearly marked.
    • There is additional standard on-street parking on Ingram Street.
    • There is no parking on Candleriggs.
  • Public Car Parks View
    • There is a public car park located on Albion Street.
    • The name of the car park is Q-Park Candleriggs.
    • Designated Blue Badge parking bays are available in the car park.
    • City Halls customers are invited to book in advance on the Q-Park website or app and use the code CHOF25 for a 25% discount at the Q-Park Candleriggs multistorey car park.
    • Please note that the Ingram Street NCP carpark adjacent to the venue is due to permanently close.

Stage Door Entrance

  • This entrance is located on Albion Street.
  • 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 level access at the entrance.
  • There are double manual doors at this entrance.
  • The doors open towards you.
  • The width of the opening is 151cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
  • The doors have a low visual contrast.

Stage Door Reception

  • The reception is located on level 1 on the left as you enter via the Stage Door entrance.
  • The distance from the Stage Door entrance is 5m.
  • There is step-free level access to reception.
  • The height of the reception desk is 100cm.
  • There is a lowered section at the desk.
  • The height of the lowered section is 71cm.
  • The reception has patterned/distracting backgrounds.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • There is background noise in this area which varies depending on the time of day.
  • Some flooring is shiny.
  • Lighting levels vary due to the use of large glazed walls.
  • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre in the seating area (150cm x 150cm).
  • There is space for an assistance dog to rest in the seating area.
  • Seating available in this area includes: benches.
  • Furniture available in this area includes: tables.

Getting Around

  • There is step-free level access throughout the majority of areas, this may include the use of a lift.
  • The following areas have step-free access via ramps or slopes: the level 1 main corridor to front of house, toilet facilities and public areas.
  • The following areas have stepped access: the female standard toilet facilities on level 2.
  • Access throughout may include manual doors.
  • Some flooring is shiny.
  • The visual contrast between the walls and floor varies between low and high.
  • Some of the walls have a reflective finish.
  • There is background noise which varies depending on the time of day.
  • Wayfinding signage is provided.
  • Signage is clearly visible with high contrasting colours.
  • The colour, design and typeface of signs is consistent throughout.
  • Lighting levels vary due to the size of the space.
  • Lighting levels are adjustable in some areas.
  • The corridor to the front of house at the rear of the entrance lobby has a steep slope initially and then it becomes slight.

Lift

  • The lift surveyed is located to the rear right of the stage door reception lobby.
  • The distance from the Stage Door entrance is 20m.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access and manual doors.
  • The levels 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 are accessed by this lift.
  • The lift door has a high visual contrast.
  • The lift has a level manoeuvring space in front of it for a wheelchair user (150cm x 150cm).
  • The external lift control buttons have tactile markings and a high visual contrast.
  • All of the external lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • The lift door opening width is 110cm.
  • The internal dimensions of the lift are 205cm (width) x 155cm (depth).
  • The internal lift control buttons have tactile markings and a high visual contrast.
  • All of the internal lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • Internally the lift has: a separate door to exit, a mirror to aid reversing, a visual floor indicator, an audible announcer and a list of floor services/facilities.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
  • There is a second smaller lift on the left side of the building.

Stairs

  • The stairs surveyed are located to the rear right of the Stage Door reception.
  • There are double manual doors to access the stairwell.
  • The levels 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 can be accessed by these stairs.
  • There are 12 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 do not 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 even at the time of the survey, with unshaded light sources.

Toilet with Adaptations (Level 2 Backstage - Left Hand Transfer)

  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet surveyed is located on level 2, to the left as you exit the lift, by the dressing rooms.
    • The distance from the lift is 10m.
    • The most accessible route to the toilet has step-free level access and manual doors.
    • There is step-free level access into the facility.
    • There is pictorial and written text signage on or near the door.
    • The door opens by sliding and has a high visual contrast.
    • The width of the door opening is 82cm.
    • The door has a twist lock.
    • Internally the door has a high visual contrast.
    • There is not a grab rail on the internal door.
  • Dimensions and Features View
    • The dimensions of the cubicle are 246cm (width) x 191cm (depth) and there is not room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
    • There is a lateral transfer space to the left as you face the toilet.
    • The lateral transfer space is 87cm (from the side of the toilet pan).
    • There is a push button flush on the non-transfer side.
    • There is a horizontal grab rail on the non-transfer side.
    • The horizontal grab rail has a low visual contrast.
    • There is a vertical grab rail on the transfer side.
    • The vertical grab rail has a low visual contrast.
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • The dropdown rail has a low visual contrast.
    • The toilet seat is 48cm from the floor.
    • The toilet seat has a low visual contrast.
    • There is a wall mounted toilet roll holder which can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The toilet roll holder has a low visual contrast.
    • The toilet roll holder is 115cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin and taps can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is 74cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin has a lever tap.
    • The vertical grab rails are on both sides of the wash basin.
    • The wash basin grab rails have a low visual contrast.
    • There is a wall mounted soap dispenser which can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The soap dispenser has a medium visual contrast.
    • The soap dispenser is 96cm from the floor.
    • There is a wall mounted towel dispenser which cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The towel dispenser has a medium visual contrast.
    • The towel dispenser is 116cm from the floor.
    • There is not a hand dryer.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm within 10cm from the floor.
    • There is a full length mirror.
    • There is no shelf.
    • The cubicle has a waste bin and a sanitary bin.
    • There are multiple coat hooks.
    • The coat hooks are 175cm from the floor.
    • The walls and floor have a medium visual contrast.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
    • There is a level access shower facility within this cubicle.

Shower with Adaptations (Within the Level 2 Backstage Toilet with Adaptations)

  • Location and Access View
    • The shower surveyed is located on level 2 within the toilet with adaptations cubicle.
  • Dimensions and Features View
    • There is not room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre in the shower (150cm x 150cm).
    • There is an adjustable shower head which can also be detached.
    • The shower controls are lever mixer.
    • There is no shower seat.
    • There is a full length mirror.
    • There is no shelf.

Toilet with Adaptations (Level 1 - Right Hand Transfer)

  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet surveyed is located on level 1 in the corridor between the front and rear of the building.
    • The distance from the main entrance is 40m.
    • The most accessible route to the toilet has step-free level access, slight ramps or slopes, manual doors and doors permanently held open.
    • There is step-free level access into the facility.
    • There is pictorial and written text signage on or near the door.
    • The door opens by sliding and has a high visual contrast.
    • The width of the door opening is 80cm.
    • The door has a lever twist lock.
    • Internally the door has a high visual contrast.
    • There is not a grab rail on the internal door.
  • Dimensions and Features View
    • The dimensions of the cubicle are 176cm (width) x 196cm (depth) and there is not room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
    • There is a lateral transfer space to the right as you face the toilet.
    • The lateral transfer space is 86cm (from the side of the toilet pan).
    • There is a push button flush on the transfer side.
    • There is a horizontal grab rail on the non-transfer side.
    • The horizontal grab rail has a low visual contrast.
    • There is a vertical grab rail on the transfer side.
    • The vertical grab rail has a low visual contrast.
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • The dropdown rail has a low visual contrast.
    • The toilet seat is 48cm from the floor.
    • The toilet seat has a high visual contrast.
    • There is a wall mounted toilet roll holder which can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The toilet roll holder has a low visual contrast.
    • The toilet roll holder is 96cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin and taps can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is 70cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin has a lever mixer tap.
    • The vertical grab rails are on both sides of the wash basin.
    • The wash basin grab rails have a low visual contrast.
    • There is a wall mounted soap dispenser which can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The soap dispenser has a medium visual contrast.
    • The soap dispenser is 97cm from the floor.
    • There is a wall mounted towel dispenser which cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The towel dispenser has a medium visual contrast.
    • The towel dispenser is 116cm from the floor.
    • There is not a hand dryer.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm but it was tied up at the time of the survey.
    • There is a full length mirror.
    • There is no shelf.
    • The cubicle has a waste bin, a nappy/incontinence items bin and a sanitary bin.
    • There is one coat hook.
    • The coat hook is 144cm from the floor.
    • The height of the baby change facility when in use is 90cm.
    • The walls and floor have a medium visual contrast.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.