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Theatre Royal

Westgate Street, Bury St Edmunds, IP33 1QR

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Access Guide

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Overview

  • About View
    • Services available in the venue include: theatrical performances, venue hire and community engagement.
  • Parking and Public Transport View
  • Getting In and Around View
    • There is step-free access via ramp at the most accessible entrance.
    • The following areas have step-free access via ramps or slopes: the Greene Room bar and counter.
    • The following areas have stepped access: the pit, the upper circle and the gallery.
    • Access throughout may include uneven surfaces, manual doors, doors permanently held open and narrow walkways.
    • Floors one and two can be accessed via stairs.
  • Getting Help and Assistance View
    • There is seating available.
    • There is a fixed hearing assistance system.
    • Documents are available in the following formats: large print (on request).
    • There is a water bowl available for assistance dogs.
    • There is not a designated assistance dog spending area.
    • Additional facilities/services include: Wi-Fi.

Toilet and Changing Facilities

  • Toilet Facilities View
    • There is 1 toilet with adaptations.
    • The toilet with adaptations is located to the left as you enter the theatre.
    • The toilet with adaptations has a right hand transfer space.
    • The male and female step-free standard toilet facilities are located to the left as you enter the theatre.
    • The shared standard toilet facilities are located on the first floor landing.
  • Changing Places and Changing Facilities View
    • Parent and baby changing facilities are located to the left as you enter the theatre, within the toilet with adaptations.

Parking (Evening and Weekend Parking)

  • Car Park View
    • The car park is located off Westgate Street.
    • The car park is open air/surface.
    • The car park surface consists of block paving.
    • There are no designated Blue Badge parking bays available.
    • This car park is restricted to evening and weekend use only.
  • Charges and Restrictions View
    • This car park is for visitors only.
    • Parking is not free for all users.
    • Clearly presented parking signs are not available.
    • Payments can be made online.
  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is a designated drop-off point available.
    • The designated drop-off point is located at the front of the theatre.
    • There is a dropped kerb without tactile paving from the drop-off point.
  • On-street Parking View
    • On-street designated Blue Badge parking is available.
    • The on-street designated Blue Badge parking bays are located on Westgate Street.
    • The Blue Badge bays are clearly marked.

Entrance

  • This entrance is located at the front left of the theatre.
  • The approach to the entrance has uneven surfaces.
  • The entrance area is not clearly signed.
  • There is a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at the entrance.
  • There is ramped and stepped access at the entrance.
  • The ramp has a steep gradient.
  • The ramp is over 150cm wide with a handrail on the right going down.
  • The ramp bypasses the steps.
  • There are 2 steps with a handrail on the left going down.
  • 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 steps is between 15cm and 18cm.
  • The height of the highest step is 17cm.
  • The depth of the steps is between 30cm and 45cm.
  • There is a single manual door at this entrance.
  • The door is permanently held open.
  • The width of the opening is 110cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
  • The door has a medium visual contrast.
  • There is a push pad or push button to exit at a height of 120cm.
  • There is step-free level access as you enter.

Getting Around

  • There is step-free level access throughout the majority of areas.
  • The following areas have step-free access via ramps or slopes: the Greene room bar and counter and the male and female standard toilets.
  • The following areas have stepped access: the Pit, the Upper Circle and the Gallery.
  • Access throughout may include uneven surfaces, manual doors, doors permanently held open and narrow walkways.
  • Some flooring is shiny and patterned.
  • The visual contrast between the walls and floor varies between low and high.
  • There is background noise in some areas of the venue.
  • Wayfinding signage is provided.
  • Signage is clearly visible with high contrasting colours.
  • The colour, design and typeface of signs is consistent throughout.
  • Seating available in the walkways includes: chairs without armrests.
  • Lighting levels were uneven at the time of the survey, with pools of light and shade.

Theatre

  • Theatre Information View
    • Advanced bookings are available.
    • Concessions are available.
    • Captioned performances are available.
    • Signed performances are available.
    • Audio described performances are available.
    • Autism friendly/relaxed performances are available.
    • Sensory friendly performances are available.
  • Auditorium View
    • The most accessible route to the auditorium has step-free level access, uneven surfaces and manual doors.
    • There is step-free level access to a row of seating.
    • There is a designated seating area.
    • The following rows have stepped access: row's A to L in the Pit, box's A to Q in the Upper Circle and row's A to D in the gallery.
    • Some flooring is shiny and patterned.
    • Seating available includes: chairs without armrests and flip-down seats without armrests.

Ticketing (Box Office One)

  • Ticket Office View
    • The ticket office surveyed is located to the near right side as you enter the theatre.
    • There is step-free level access to the ticket office.
    • There are double manual doors with a high visual contrast.
    • The doors open towards you.
    • The doors require effort to open.
    • The width of the opening is 136cm.
    • There is step-free level access throughout the ticket office.
    • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
    • The queue width is at least 150cm and there is no need to turn.
    • There is not a separate wheelchair accessible queue lane.
    • Seating available includes: benches.
    • Lighting levels were uneven at the time of the survey, with pools of light and shade.
    • The height of the counter is 94cm.
    • There is not a lowered section at the counter.
    • There is a clearly signed fixed hearing assistance system.
    • The hearing assistance system was tested and working at the time of the survey.

Designated Seating (Dress Circle)

  • The designated seating area surveyed is located to the right as you enter the theatre.
  • The distance from the entrance is 15m.
  • The most accessible route to the designated seating has manual doors.
  • There is step-free level access to the designated seating.
  • There is a single manual door with a high visual contrast.
  • The door opens towards you.
  • The width of the opening is 87cm.
  • The designated seating area is not clearly marked or signed.
  • There are 4 designated spaces for wheelchair users.
  • The view from this seating area is clear from obstructions.
  • Companions sit in front of 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.
  • The seating is fixed.
  • Some flooring is shiny.
  • Lighting levels were uneven at the time of the survey, with pools of light and shade.
  • There is a toilet with adaptations close to the seating area (within approximately 50m).

Seating Area (Pit)

  • Location and Access View
    • The pit is located either side as you enter the theatre on the ground floor.
    • The most accessible route has a slight ramp or slope, steps, manual doors and doors permanently held open.
    • There is stepped access into this area.
    • There are 20+ steps with 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 steps are clearly marked.
    • The height of the steps is between 15cm and 18cm.
    • The height of the highest step is 18cm.
    • The depth of the steps is not between 30cm and 45cm.
    • There is a single manual door with a low visual contrast.
    • The door opens towards you.
    • The door requires effort to open.
    • The width of the opening is 99cm.
  • Seating Area View
    • The following areas have stepped access: row's A to L.
    • There is not room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
    • There is not space for an assistance dog to rest.
    • The walls and floor have a low visual contrast.
    • Some flooring is shiny.
    • Seating available in this area includes: chairs with armrests and chairs without armrests.
    • The chairs are fixed.
    • There is no (or very little) background noise in this area.
    • Lighting levels were uneven at the time of the survey, with pools of light and shade.

Eating and Drinking (Greene Room)

  • Location and Access View
    • The Greene Room is located to the left as you enter the theatre.
    • The most accessible route has a slight ramp or slope, doors permanently held open and narrow walkways.
    • There is step-free access via ramp into this area.
    • The ramp has a slight gradient.
    • The ramp is between 75cm and 150cm wide with a handrail on the left going up.
  • Service View
    • This area has a bar where drinks can be ordered and designated seating.
    • Full table service is not available.
    • Menus are wall-mounted.
    • 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 and takeaway cups.
    • There is a clearly signed fixed hearing assistance system.
    • The hearing assistance system was tested, however it was not working at the time of the survey.
  • Order and Payment View
    • The bar was surveyed.
    • The counter is located to the left.
    • There is step-free level access to the counter.
    • The height of the counter is 111cm.
    • 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.
    • 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.
    • Furniture available in this area includes: tables.
    • The surface height of the tables is suitable for wheelchair users.
    • The clear height under the tables is suitable for wheelchair users.
    • There is no (or very little) background noise in this area.
    • Lighting levels were uneven at the time of the survey, with pools of light and shade.

Counter

  • The counter is located to the left from the entrance.
  • The distance from the entrance is 20m.
  • The most accessible route to the counter has doors permanently held open and narrow walkways.
  • There is step-free access via ramp to the counter.
  • The ramp has a slight gradient.
  • The ramp is between 75cm and 150cm wide with a handrail on the left going up.
  • The height of the counter is 97cm.
  • There is not a lowered section at the counter.
  • The counter has patterned/distracting backgrounds.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • There is no (or very little) background noise in this area.
  • The flooring is shiny.
  • Lighting levels were uneven at the time of the survey, with pools of light and shade.
  • 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: chairs without armrests.
  • Furniture available in this area includes: tables.

Stairs (Left Side)

  • The stairs surveyed are located straight ahead as you enter the theatre.
  • The ground floor, the first floor and second floor can be accessed by these stairs.
  • There are 14 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 18cm.
  • The depth of the steps is not between 30cm and 45cm.
  • Lighting levels were uneven at the time of the survey, with pools of light and shade.
  • There are a set of identical stairs on the right side of the building.

Toilet with Adaptations (Right Hand Transfer)

  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet surveyed is located to the left as you enter.
    • The distance from the entrance is 4m.
    • The most accessible route to the toilet has step-free level access and uneven surfaces.
    • There is step-free level access into the facility.
    • There is pictorial and written text signage on or near the door.
    • The door opens inwards and has a high visual contrast.
    • The width of the door opening is 90cm.
    • The door has a lever 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 150cm (width) x 406cm (depth) and there is 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 67cm (from the side of the toilet pan).
    • There is a spatula flush on the 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 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 84cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin and taps can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is 72cm 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 high visual contrast.
    • There is a wall mounted soap dispenser which can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The soap dispenser has a high visual contrast.
    • The soap dispenser is 94cm from the floor.
    • There is a wall mounted towel dispenser which cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The towel dispenser has a low visual contrast.
    • The towel dispenser is 108cm 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, a nappy/incontinence items bin and a sanitary bin.
    • There are no coat hooks.
    • The walls and floor visual contrast varies between low and high.
    • Lighting levels were uneven at the time of the survey, with pools of light and shade.