Accessibility Guide for Aylesbury Waterside Theatre

Welcome

Aylesbury Waterside Theatre can be found in the heart of Aylesbury. The theatre boasts a dynamic programme of electrifying West End productions, unparalleled comedy and the best children’s shows. The multi-functional venue can accommodate conferences, meetings and live screenings.

Aylesbury Waterside Theatre Exterior front of the venue displaying the main curved entrance.

Level access

The main entrance has level access.

There is level access from the main entrance to:

Box Office Stalls Bar Circle 1 Bar The Ambassador Lounge Circle 2 Bar The Norman Bragg Studio Main Auditorium

We have a viewing area for wheelchair users.

Hearing

The fire alarm has flashing lights.

We have a hearing loop in inside the auditorium.

All staff have disability awareness training.

Visual

Glass doors and full-height windows have contrast markings.

The walls and the doors have high colour contrast.

Some parts of the venue have low lighting.

We have information in audio and large print.

General

We have a concessionary rate for disabled visitors.

We have a complimentary ticket policy for personal assistants.

All staff have disability awareness training.

We have emergency evacuation procedures for disabled visitors.

Getting here

Aylesbury Waterside Theatre

Exchange Street

Aylesbury

HP20 1UG

Travel by public transport

You can get to Aylesbury Waterside Theatre by bus and train.

The nearest bus stop is on Exchange Street, stop E1 The bus stop is 0.0 miles / 0.0 km from Aylesbury Waterside Theatre.

The nearest train station is Aylesbury Train Station. The train station is 0.4 miles / 0.6 km from Aylesbury Waterside Theatre.

Trains into london run regularly to London Marylebone station

Travel by taxi

You can get a taxi with Cabs4U by calling 01296 200200. The taxi company has a wheelchair accessible vehicle.

Parking

There is parking near the venue. There are accessible parking spaces. The parking is less than 50 metres from the main entrance. Parking is not free.

There is a drop off at the rear of the theatre in front of the service yard barrier. From the car park to the entrance, there is level access. There is a lift. The path is sloped.

There are 3 car parks close to the venue, the closest being the Waitrose Car park which is lift accessible.

The second closest carpark is Exchange Street which is on level access and across the road from the theatre via a traffic light crossing.

The third closest car park is Waterside North Carpark which is on level access and across the road from the theatre via a traffic light crossing.

Arrival

Path to main entrance

From the street to the main entrance, there is level access.

The path is sloped.

Main entrance

The main entrance has level access.

The main central door is automatic and usually slides open to allow access. We have 2 optional side doors that push into the venue and are usually held open by staff when in use.

The Main entrance of the venue showing the main automatic door and 2 swinging side doors.

Getting around inside

We have contrast markings on all glass doors, contrast markings on all full-height windows and high colour contrast between walls and doorframes.

Some parts of the venue have low lighting.

Lift

We have 1 lift.

You can get a lift to all floors.

Front of House Lift

The lift says the floor number at each floor.

The lift buttons have raised numbers or letters.

The lift shows the floor number, at each floor.

The lift is also labelled to indicate which ticket level you require: Level 1 is stalls, Level 2 is Norman Bragg Studio, Level 3 is Circle 1 and Level 4 is Circle 2.

Ticket/ information desk

Box Office

From the main entrance to the desk, there is level access. The desk has a low section.

Things to See and Do

We have a concessionary rate for disabled visitors.

We have a complimentary ticket policy for personal assistants.

We have performances with: captioned, audio-described, British Sign Language interpreted, relaxed and touch tour.

We have display information in: audio and large print.

Spectator/ Audience viewing areas

There are stewards to help disabled visitors.

There are headsets if required.

You can listen to audio commentary in some of the venue.

We have a viewing area for wheelchair users.

Stalls

From the main entrance to the viewing area, there is level access. Personal assistants and friends can sit with wheelchair users.

Personal assistants and friends can sit behind wheelchair users. Stewards can bring food and drink to wheelchair users.

Row R in the stalls is specifically designated for Wheelchair users, however we also have seats available in Slips A & B in the stalls for a side on view, however this has some restricted view due to a low railing.

Circle 1

From the main entrance to the viewing area, there is level access. There is a lift.

Personal assistants and friends can sit with wheelchair users.

Stewards can bring food and drink to wheelchair users.

Seats in row G are available as Wheelchair access seats, however we also have seats available in Slips E, J and K though these have a side on view. If the performance you are seeing is an upbeat musical or a music gig, your view may be obstructed by people standing in front of you.

Bar

Stalls Bar

From the main entrance to the bar, there is level access.

There is a lower serving area for this bar for wheelchair access.

Bar

Circle 1 Bar

From the main entrance to the bar, there is level access. There is a lift.

There is a lower serving area for this bar for wheelchair access.

Bar

The Ambassador Lounge

From the main entrance to the bar, there is level access. There is a lift.

This is a VIP lounge with table service to prevent you needing to queue or wait for drinks. This is also the closest location to the Wheelchair seats in Row G in Circle 1.

The Ambassador Lounge with comfortable furniture and a clear path from the door.

Bar

Circle 2 Bar

From the main entrance to the bar, there is level access. There is a lift.

The Norman Bragg Studio

From the main entrance to this area, there is level access. There is a lift.

This is our second studio space that has the ability to have bleacher seating or a flat floor access depending on the event taking place.

There is a bar in the studio with level access but this bar does not have a low wheelchair accessible serving point.

Main Auditorium

From the main entrance to this area, there is level access. There is a lift.

Accessible seats are available in our Stalls and Circle 1 levels in the auditorium, please contact our Accessible booking line on 0800 912 6971 and Typetalk number 18001 0800 912 6971

Getting around outside

Customer care support

We have a hearing loop in inside the auditorium.

The closest outside space to take assistance animals is outside the front of the main entrance or next to the main entrance along the canal.

We are able to store and monitor Wheelchairs and mobility scooters not in use, but unfortunately we are unable to charge them.

Emergency evacuation procedures

We have emergency evacuation procedures for disabled visitors.

The fire alarm has flashing lights.

For those who require additional assistance in the event of an evacuation, our staff are trained in the use of evac chairs which are located on Circle 1 and 2 levels.

Customer care support

All staff have disability awareness training.

We have information in audio and large print.

We have other services for people with accessibility requirements.

We are partnered with Nimbus Disability and accept the Nimbus Access Card. Nimbus’ Access Card is a single consistent method of communicating accessibility requirements between customer and provider, and is now used by many major live music, events and entertainment organisations.

Aylesbury Waterside Theatre are proud to support the Sunflower Lanyard scheme to our patrons. Sunflower lanyards are available as an option for patrons who may have an invisible disability, or for patrons who may require some additional support and assistance during their visit. The lanyard therefore works as an indicator for staff to offer the appropriate care and support to patrons in a non-intrusive manner. The sunflower lanyards are free to collect from the Box Office.

We are able to provide a visual story of the building. This acts as a guide for anyone who feels worried or anxious ahead of their visit and explains what to expect when you visit the theatre. Our Visual Story is a visual resource to help prepare visitors for a new experience and to help them become familiar with new surroundings and what to expect. Should you wish to see our visual story, please get in contact and we will happily provide you with one.