Access
Everyone is different, and everyone is welcome at Scunthorpe Theatres.
This guide is designed to help our customers who have accessibility requirements to enjoy their visit. We are committed to making sure everyone can enjoy events at our venues, by making reasonable adjustments to mitigate or remove the barriers which Deaf, disabled, the neurodivergent and others may face.
Contact Details
If you would like to speak to us about booking accessible tickets, getting to the venue, our access facilities, or if you require any further information, please contact our Box Office who will be pleased to help you. We aim to respond within 72 hours. You can also contact us.
Venue Facilities
The Baths Hall and The Plowright Theatre provide the following facilities to assist with access requirements:
- Step free access/ramp to front door
- A box office window with a lowered counter
- Concession, merchandise, and bar stands with lowered counters
- Designated seating areas within the venue for wheelchair users, or those with walking difficulties, and their companions
- Accessible toilets
- Step free access to row C of the balcony at The Baths Hall
- Hearing loops in both venue auditoriums and both venue box offices
- Both venues have some accessible parking spaces on the public highway at the side of the buildings.
- Lift to first floor at both venues.
Booking Tickets
To help us better understand your needs, we are working with Nimbus Disability, to make ticketing and access to Scunthorpe Theatres more inclusive for customers with accessibility requirements. Nimbus' experience in running the Access Card scheme will enable us to ensure that even more people are able to book access tickets at our venues, and that the right tickets are sold to those who are eligible. From October 2024, all our access customers will require an Access Card, or free Scunthorpe Theatres Digital Access Pass number. The application process for the free Digital Access Pass can be found below. Once complete, it will last for 3 years.
REGISTERThe access pass will enable you to:
- View and book wheelchair spaces online
- Book in free essential companions online
- Get easier access to the most appropriate seats for captioned or BSL interpreted performances
- View all discounts available to you online, based on your needs
Once you have a Digital Access Pass number or, using your current Access Card ID, you will simply connect the two accounts quickly and easily and that's it. Your access requirements will be in your Scunthorpe Theatres account, and you will be able to browse performances and select your access tickets. Seats that were previously not available, that looked sold, will now be available to you. Which seats display, will depend on your accessibility needs. We suggest that you apply for a Scunthorpe Theatres Access Digital Access Pass Number and link your accounts now, so that you can simply get tickets that meet your access requirements when they go on-sale.
If you already have an Access Card, there is no need to re-register, simply Log In and submit your registration number.
If you are not able to use online forms and would be unable to access online sales, you do still need to register. Nimbus will be able to assist with telephone registration on 0330 808 5108.
If you have more questions or need more information, We've compiled a list of questions and answers below. Or you can give our Box Office a call on 01724 296296 or email [email protected], and we will be happy to assist.
Assistance Dogs
We welcome assistance dogs at our events and if you are planning to bring an assistance dog with you to our venue, please feel free to contact us prior to your visit, if you would like to discuss your requirements further. Our staff will make arrangements to make sure your dog can stay with you throughout your visit and that appropriate seating is allocated for you. You can do this by either contacting the Box Office or contact us.
Read our full Assistance Dogs Policy.
Accessible Car Parking
There are four designated accessible parking bays on the public highway, to the left of The Baths Hall. The Baths Hall is not responsible for vehicles left in these spaces. Spaces cannot be reserved and are available on a first-come, first-served basis. A disabled badge must be displayed when using these spaces, and the badge holder must be travelling in the vehicle. The walking distance from the disabled bays to doors via the ramp is 0.05 miles. The walking distance to the door via the steps (6 steps with railings) is 0.02 miles.
There are six designated accessible parking bays at the Plowright Theatre, 4 to the left-hand side of the venue and 2 to the right-hand side.
Early Access
Our main doors will never open any earlier than one hour prior to show start time. However, if you require early access into the auditorium due to a specific access requirement, please contact our Box Office or contact us at least 48 hours in advance of your visit. Our venue staff will make every effort to enable your early access. Please speak to one of the team when you arrive. If you have not given us prior notice of early access request, our staff will still do their best to assist you with this during your visit.
Queuing
In the event that there are large queues during an event, please speak to a member of staff at the venue, if you require further assistance.
Relaxed Performances
We host relaxed performances of selected shows, designed to welcome audiences who might otherwise feel excluded from live performances. Relaxed performances aim to create a less formal, more supportive environment for people who will benefit from a more relaxed environment. At a relaxed performance our house lights dim, allowing our audience the ability to be able to freely move around if they need to. Sound and lighting levels are lowered to make it more enjoyable for anyone with specific sensory requirements. We also offer a quiet space throughout the performance for customers who may need to take a break from crowded areas or excessive noise.
Customers with learning disabilities who do not use expressive or receptive language techniques will not be asked to leave a performance due to any behaviour that is a direct result of their disability. Staff will offer and provide support where possible and our breakout space is available should it be required.
Medical Requirements
If you have any medical requirements, we ask this is communicated to the venue ahead of your visit, for ease of entry. We will try to work with you to ensure your visit is enjoyable and without hindrance. Please contact the Box Office or contact us through the website.
Flashing Lights, Special Effects, and Strobe Lighting
Many shows which take place at our venues do contain some form of flashing lights. Some also contain strobe or other special effects, including pyrotechnics. We will always endeavour to find out from a touring production in advance, if their show contains such effects, but we do not always obtain these details in advance. However, we will update our websites and social media if we receive this information before a show and will ensure that on the evening of the performance, appropriate signage is in place in our venue. If you have any concerns about an upcoming event, please contact us, call or visit the Baths Hall Box Office, and we will do our best to find out further information from the production team.
Emergency Evacuation
Our staff are fully trained in the event that an evacuation is necessary in our venues. In the event of an emergency, there will be an audible alarm in all areas. Our front of house staff will be on hand to assist with the exit of all our guests. Personal Assistants must be able to assist the person they are accompanying, to leave the building in an emergency.
All venue emergency evacuation plans include deaf, disabled and neurodivergent audiences and workforce. These cover all areas where disabled people might reasonably be expected to congregate (eg. viewing platforms), and include:
- Accessible priority emergency exits
- Designated refuges for those with disabilities
- Evac Chairs available in our upper levels, and trained staff to use them
Where appropriate, a Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan (PEEP) can be submitted by audience members and will be reviewed by relevant venue staff. If you would like to submit your own PEEP to the venue - this should be sent to the Accessibility contact on our contact form.
Please be assured that our staff are trained to ensure your safe exit from the venue in the event of an emergency.
Volume
Please be aware that prolonged exposure to loud noise may cause damage to your hearing. We strongly advise that children attending events wear suitable hearing protection. A limited number of ear protectors are available by request from any member of staff.
Website
We want as many people as possible to be able to use this website and for it to be a useful tool for everyone. You should be able to:
- zoom in up to 300% without the text spilling off the screen
- navigate most of the website using just a keyboard
- navigate most of the website using speech recognition software
- listen to most of the website using a screen reader
- We've also made the website text as simple as possible to understand
- AbilityNet has advice on making your device easier to use if you have a disability
Attitude Is Everything
To recognise our commitment to being a venue that is accessible and welcoming to all, both our venues have recently been awarded the status of Silver Level on the Attitude Is Everything Charter.
Attitude is Everything is a disability-led charity that connects disabled people with music and live event industries to improve access together. Their Live Events Access Charter supports venues and events on their journey to improve accessibility, beginning with the Bronze Award.
Since signing up to the charter, we continue to implement changes to our access provision. From the information provided on this website, and booking tickets, through to the customer experience in the venue - all areas have been reviewed and improved to ensure they are offering the best possible accessibility for audiences, artists, volunteers and professionals. These changes aim to make it easier for those with mobility problems, vision or hearing difficulties, neuro-divergent conditions and other accessibility needs, to attend events at the venue.
Concerns or Complaints
Any person who believes they have been unfairly treated in breach of this policy should contact the Box Office Supervisor in the first instance by telephoning 01724 296296 or contact us.