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Opera House Theatre

Blackpool Winter Gardens, 97 Church Street, Blackpool, Lancashire, FY1 1HL

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Access Guide

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Opening Times

  • Opening times do vary depending on performances.
  • Comments View
    • Please contact the venue or refer to the website for performance times.

Location

  • There is not a bus stop within 150m (164yds) of the venue.
  • The nearest National Rail station is Blackpool North.
  • There is not a tram stop within 150m (164yds) of the venue.

Parking

  • The venue does not have its own car park.

Outside Access (Main Entrance)

  • This information is for the entrance located at the front of the theatre, to the left of the Church Street entrance.
  • There is level access into the venue.
  • The main door(s) open towards you (pull).
  • The doors are double width.
  • The door(s) is / are heavy.
  • The door opening is 128cm (4ft 2in) wide.
  • Comments View
    • There is also access to the Winter Gardens nearer to the parking on Coronation Street, which is via lift. Please see guide for details.

Outside Access (Church Street Entrance)

  • This information is for the entrance located on Church Street.
  • There is level access into the venue.
  • The main door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
  • The door(s) is / are double.
  • The door(s) is / are permanently held open.
  • The width of the door opening is 138cm (4ft 6in).
  • Second set of doors View
    • There is a second set of doors.
    • The door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
    • The door(s) is / are double.
    • The door(s) is / are permanently held open.
    • The width of the door opening is 138cm (4ft 6in).

Level Change (Winter Gardens Stalls)

  • There is a ramp or slope to access this service.
  • The ramp or slope is portable.
  • Please contact a member of staff.
  • The ramp does have handrails.
  • The handrails are on both sides.
  • The width of the ramp or slope is 100cm (3ft 3in).
  • There is a / are step(s) to access this area / service.
  • The step(s) is / are located leading between the Theatre and Winter Gardens.
  • There is / are 2 step(s) to the area / service.
  • The lighting levels at the steps are medium.
  • The step(s) is/are clearly marked.
  • The step(s) is / are medium.
  • The steps do not have handrails.
  • The ramp/slope does bypass the step(s).

Level Change (Foyer)

  • There is a / are step(s) to access this area / service.
  • The step(s) is / are located leading up from the foyer.
  • There is / are 4 step(s) to the area / service.
  • The lighting levels at the steps are bright.
  • The step(s) is/are clearly marked.
  • The step(s) is / are medium.
  • The steps do have handrails.
  • The handrails are on both sides.
  • There is a standard and / or platform lift to access this service.
  • The lift does bypass the step(s).
  • Comments View
    • There is a moderate ramp to the left which bypasses the first step.
    • The lift to bypass the steps is located to the right.
    • The ramp from the Winter Gardens also bypasses these steps.

Lift (Foyer)

  • There is a lift for public use.
  • The lift is located to the right of the foyer.
  • The lift is a platform lift.
  • The platform lift accesses a small level change.
  • The lift is approximately 8m (8yd 2ft) from the main entrance.
  • Staff do need to be notified for use of the lift.
  • The clear door width is 80cm (2ft 7in).
  • The dimensions of the lift are 80cm x 149cm (2ft 7in x 4ft 11in).
  • There are separate entry and exit doors in the lift.
  • There is not a mirror to aid reversing out of the lift.
  • The lift does not have a visual floor indicator.
  • The lift does not have an audible announcer.
  • The controls for the lift are within 90cm - 120cm from the floor.
  • The lift does not have Braille markings.
  • The lift does not have tactile markings.
  • The lighting level in the lift is moderate to good.
  • Comments View
    • The Winter Gardens stalls ramp can be used to bypass this lift.

Inside Access

  • There is not level access to the service.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • This venue does play background music.
  • Music is played thoughout the building.
  • Motorised scooters are welcomed in public parts of the venue.
  • The lighting levels are adjustable.

Other Floors

  • Steps View
    • The floors which are accessible by stairs are G-B-C-UC.
    • There are 15+ steps between floors.
    • The steps are clearly marked.
    • The steps are medium.
    • The steps do have handrails.
    • The steps have a handrail on both sides.
    • There is a landing.
    • The lighting levels are medium.
  • Other View
    • The services on the floors which are not accessible are the upper circle seating.

Theatre

  • There are designated spaces for wheelchair users.
  • Designated seating is located the stalls.
  • Wheelchairs are left with the patron.
  • A companion may sit with you.
  • Companions sit beside you.
  • It is 10m (10yd 2ft) from the designated seating area to the nearest accessible toilet.
  • This venue does not provide audio described performances.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • There is not a wheelchair to borrow.
  • Assistance dogs are allowed in the auditorium.
  • Comments View
    • There is designated seating at the front left, mid right and rear of the theatre.
    • There is room for up to 11 wheelchairs, depending on performances.

Level Change (Theatre)

  • There is a ramp or slope to access this service.
  • The ramp or slope is permanent.
  • There is not a level landing at the top of the ramp.
  • The ramp does not have handrails.
  • The width of the ramp or slope is 110cm (3ft 7in).

Lift (Balcony and Circle)

  • There is a lift for public use.
  • The lift is located to the left of the theatre foyer.
  • The lift is a standard lift.
  • The floors which are accessible by this lift are G-B-C.
  • There are manual, double doors which are easy to open to from the first floor upwards.
  • The lift is approximately 12m (13yd 4in) from the main entrance.
  • Staff do not need to be notified for use of the lift.
  • The clear door width is 80cm (2ft 7in).
  • The dimensions of the lift are 120cm x 130cm (3ft 11in x 4ft 3in).
  • There are not separate entry and exit doors in the lift.
  • There is a mirror to aid reversing out of the lift.
  • The lift does have a visual floor indicator.
  • The lift does have an audible announcer.
  • The controls for the lift are within 90cm - 120cm from the floor.
  • The lift does have Braille markings.
  • The lift does have tactile markings.
  • The lighting level in the lift is moderate to good.

Eating and Drinking (Circle Bar)

  • The following information is for the bar.
  • The bar does not serve food.
  • Full table service is not available.
  • Food or drinks are ordered from the service counter.
  • Food or drinks can be brought to the table.
  • There is not a lowered section at the counter.
  • No tables are permanently fixed.
  • Some chairs are permanently fixed.
  • No chairs have armrests.
  • The nearest table is 17m (18yd 1ft) from the lift.
  • The distance between the floor and the lowest table is 69cm (2ft 3in).
  • There is ample room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
  • Drinking straws are available.

Level Change (Balcony and Circles Seating)

  • There is a / are step(s) to access this area / service.
  • The step(s) is / are located leading up to rear upper seating.
  • There is / are 15+ step(s) to the area / service.
  • The lighting levels at the steps are adjustable.
  • The step(s) is/are clearly marked.
  • The step(s) is / are deep.
  • The steps do not have handrails.

Toilet with Adaptations

  • There are accessible toilets within this venue designated for public use.
  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet is not for the sole use of disabled people.
    • There is pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
    • The accessible toilet is 9m (9yd 2ft) from the foyer lift.
    • The accessible toilet is located to the right as you enter.
    • There is level access to the accessible toilet.
    • This is by lift.
  • Features and Dimensions View
    • This is a unisex toilet.
    • A key is not required for the accessible toilet.
    • The door opens outwards.
    • The door is locked by a locking handle.
    • The width of the accessible toilet door is 90cm (2ft 11in).
    • The door weight is light.
    • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 164cm x 195cm (5ft 5in x 6ft 5in).
    • There is sufficient turning space in the cubicle for a wheelchair user.
    • There is a lateral transfer space.
    • As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on the left.
    • The lateral transfer space is 73cm (2ft 5in).
    • There is not a dropdown rail.
    • There is not a flush on the transfer side.
    • The tap type is lever.
    • There is a mixer tap.
    • There is an emergency alarm in the cubicle.
    • The emergency alarm is not fully functional.
    • The alarm was out of reach (higher than 10cm (4") from floor) when surveyed.
    • Disposal facilities are available in the cubicle.
    • There is not a coat hook.
  • Position of Fixtures View
    • Wall mounted rails are available.
    • As you face the toilet the wall mounted grab rails are on the right.
    • There is not a shelf within the accessible toilet.
    • There are mirrors.
    • Mirrors are placed at a lower level or at an angle for ease of use.
    • The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 50cm (1ft 8in).
    • There is a hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The hand dryer is not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • There is not a towel dispenser.
    • There is a toilet roll holder.
    • The toilet roll holder can be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The toilet roll holder is not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • There is a sink.
    • The sink cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The sink is placed higher than 74cm (2ft 5in).
    • The height of the sink is 84cm (2ft 9in).
  • Colour Contrast and Lighting View
    • The contrast between the external door and wall is good.
    • There is a high colour contrast between the internal door and wall.
    • The contrast between the grab rails and wall is good.
    • There is a good colour contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall.
    • The contrast between the walls and floor is fair.
    • The lighting levels are bright.
  • Comments View
    • There are further accessible toilets down in the adjoining Winter Gardens venue.

Standard Toilet(s)

Additional Info

  • Staff do receive disability awareness / equality training.
  • Documents can be requested in Braille.
  • Documents can be requested in large print.
  • A member of staff trained in BSL skills is not normally on duty.
  • This service can be requested.