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Barbican Theatre

Castle Street, Plymouth, PL1 2NJ

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Access Guide

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Overview

Toilet and Changing Facilities

  • Toilet Facilities View
    • There is 1 toilet with adaptations.
    • Toilets with adaptations are located on the ground floor, to the left after you exit the lift.
    • The toilet with adaptations has a left hand transfer space.
    • The female step-free standard toilet facilities are located on the ground floor.
    • The male standard toilet facilities are located on the ground floor.
  • Changing Places and Changing Facilities View
    • Parent and baby changing facilities are located within the toilet with adaptations.

Parking

  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop-off point available.
  • Public Car Parks View
    • There is a public car park located off Lambhay Hill.
    • The name of the car park is Lambhay Hill.
    • Designated Blue Badge parking bays are available in the car park.

Entrance

  • This entrance is located at the front of the building, on Castle Street.
  • The approach to the entrance has uneven surfaces and bollards.
  • 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 slope at the entrance.
  • The slope has a steep gradient.
  • This entrance gives access to the lower ground floor.
  • There is a single manual door at this entrance.
  • The door opens towards you.
  • There is a push pad at a height of 97cm.
  • The width of the opening is 105cm.
  • The door has a medium visual contrast.
  • The outside push pad was not working on the day of the survey.
  • There is step-free level access via lift as you enter.
  • The lift bypasses the steps.
  • There are 9 steps with handrails on both sides.
  • The handrails are not 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 steps are unmarked.
  • The height of the steps is between 15cm and 18cm.
  • The height of the highest step is 17cm.
  • The depth of the steps is between 30cm and 45cm.

Lift

  • The lift surveyed is located to the right after you enter the building.
  • The distance from the entrance is 3m.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access.
  • The lower ground, upper ground and first floors 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 low visual contrast.
  • All of the external lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • The lift was out of service at the time of survey (21/10/2025).

Stairs

  • The stairs surveyed are located straight ahead after you enter the building.
  • The upper ground and first floors can be accessed by these stairs.
  • There are 20 steps between floors.
  • The steps have some clear markings and have handrails on both sides.
  • The handrails are not 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 between 30cm and 45cm.
  • Lighting levels were uneven at the time of the survey, with pools of light and shade and unshaded light sources.

Eating and Drinking (B-Bar)

  • Location and Access View
    • The bar area is straight ahead after you exit the lift on the upper ground floor.
    • The most accessible route has step-free level access.
    • There is step-free level access into this area.
  • Service View
    • This area has a bar where food and drink can be ordered.
    • Full table service is available.
    • Menus are handheld, wall-mounted, online and available in large print.
    • The following dietary requirements can be catered for: gluten free, dairy free, lactose free, nut allergy, vegetarian and vegan.
    • The following are available: drinking straws, takeaway cups and takeaway cutlery.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • Order and Payment View
    • The bar was surveyed.
    • The counter is located straight ahead after you exit the lift.
    • There is step-free level access to the counter.
    • The height of the counter is 110cm.
    • There is not a lowered section at the counter.
    • The counter has patterned/distracting backgrounds.
  • Seating Area View
    • There is step-free level access throughout the seating area.
    • The following areas have stepped access: the upper seating area.
    • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
    • There is space for an assistance dog to rest.
    • Some flooring is shiny.
    • The walls and floor visual contrast varies between low and high.
    • Seating available in this area includes: chairs without armrests, sofas, benches, stools and high stools.
    • Furniture available in this area includes: tables.
    • Some chairs are fixed.
    • The surface height of the tables is suitable for wheelchair users.
    • The clear height under the tables is suitable for wheelchair users.
    • There is background noise in this area which varies depending on the time of day.
    • Lighting levels were uneven at the time of the survey, with pools of light and shade and unshaded light sources.

Theatre

  • Theatre Information View
    • Advanced bookings are available.
    • Tickets are ordered and collected from the bar on the upper ground floor, as there is not a separate box office.
    • The theatre is located on the first floor.
    • Concessions are available.
    • Contact the Barbican to confirm concessions available.
    • Captioned performances are not available.
    • Signed performances are not available.
    • Audio described performances are not available.
    • Autism friendly/relaxed performances are not available.
    • Sensory friendly performances are available.
    • There is a fixed hearing assistance system.
    • The hearing assistance system was tested, however it was not working at the time of the survey.
  • Auditorium View
    • The most accessible route to the auditorium has a very easy slope, doors permanently held open and narrow walkways.
    • There is step-free level access to a row of seating.
    • There is a designated seating area.
    • The following rows have stepped access: rows C to O of the tiered seating.
    • Seating available includes: chairs without armrests and flip-down seats with armrests.

Designated Seating

  • The designated seating area surveyed is located in row B of the theatre.
  • The distance from the theatre entrance is 27m.
  • The most accessible route to the designated seating has doors permanently held open and narrow walkways.
  • There is step-free access via a very easy slope to the designated seating.
  • The designated seating area is not clearly marked or signed.
  • The number of spaces for wheelchair users varies.
  • The view from this seating area is clear from obstructions.
  • Companions sit next to you.
  • There is a member of staff available for assistance.
  • There is space for an assistance dog to rest.
  • Seating available in this area includes: chairs without armrests.
  • Lighting levels vary due to the size of the space.
  • There is a toilet with adaptations close to the seating area (within approximately 50m).
  • The toilet with adaptations is accessible via the lift.

Room (Music Room)

  • The room is located on the first floor, to the right after you exit the lift.
  • The distance from the lift is 6m.
  • The most accessible route to the room has step-free level access and manual doors.
  • There is no signage on or near the door.
  • There is step-free level access into the room.
  • There is a single manual door with a low visual contrast.
  • The door opens away from you.
  • The width of the opening is 76cm.
  • There is a push pad or push button to exit at a height of 120cm.
  • There is step-free level access throughout the room.
  • Furniture can be moved to enable a manoeuvring space for a wheelchair user (150cm x 150cm).
  • There is space for an assistance dog to rest.
  • Some flooring is patterned.
  • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
  • Seating available in the room includes: chairs without armrests, riser recliner chairs and stools.
  • Furniture available in the room includes: desks.
  • The desks are fixed.
  • The surface heights are suitable for wheelchair users.
  • The clear underside space of the surfaces is suitable for wheelchair users.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • There is background noise in this room.
  • Lighting levels were uneven at the time of the survey, with pools of light and shade and unshaded light sources.

Room (Activity Room)

  • The room is located on the first floor, to the right after you exit the lift.
  • The distance from the lift is 6m.
  • The most accessible route to the room has step-free level access and manual doors.
  • There is no signage on or near the door.
  • There is step-free level access into the room.
  • There is a single manual door with a low visual contrast.
  • The door has a locked extension leaf.
  • The locked extension leaf can be opened on request.
  • The door opens away from you.
  • The width of the opening is 78cm.
  • The width of the door is 124cm with extension leaf open.
  • There is step-free level access throughout the room.
  • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
  • There is space for an assistance dog to rest.
  • The flooring is shiny.
  • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
  • Seating available in the room includes: chairs with armrests and chairs without armrests.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • There is background noise in this room.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

Toilet with Adaptations (Ground Floor - Left Hand Transfer)

  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet surveyed is located on the ground floor, to the left after you exit the lift.
    • The distance from the lift is 11m.
    • The most accessible route to the toilet has step-free level access.
    • There is step-free level access into the facility.
    • There is pictorial and written text signage on or near the door.
    • The door opens outwards and has a high visual contrast.
    • The width of the door opening is 86cm.
    • The door has a twist lock.
    • Internally the door has a high visual contrast.
    • There is a grab rail on the internal door with a high visual contrast.
  • Dimensions and Features View
    • The dimensions of the cubicle are 146cm (width) x 234cm (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 89cm (from the side of the toilet pan).
    • There is a spatula flush on the non-transfer side.
    • There is a horizontal grab rail on the non-transfer side.
    • The horizontal grab rail has a high visual contrast.
    • There is a vertical grab rail on the transfer side.
    • The vertical grab rail has a high visual contrast.
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • The dropdown rail has a high visual contrast.
    • The toilet seat is 46cm 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 high visual contrast.
    • The toilet roll holder is 99cm 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 rail is on the left as you face the wash basin.
    • The wash basin grab rail has a high visual contrast.
    • There is a wall mounted soap dispenser which cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The soap dispenser has a high visual contrast.
    • The soap dispenser is 100cm from the floor.
    • There is a wall mounted towel dispenser which cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The towel dispenser has a high visual contrast.
    • The towel dispenser is 95cm from the floor.
    • There is a wall mounted hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer has a high visual contrast.
    • The hand dryer is 105cm from the floor.
    • There is no emergency alarm.
    • There is a mirror.
    • There is no shelf.
    • The cubicle has a waste bin and a sanitary bin.
    • There are no coat hooks.
    • The height of the baby change facility when in use is 102cm.
    • The walls and floor have a medium visual contrast.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.