Overview

Chester Town Hall, a brilliant Gothic building is a really welcoming place. Access from street level, via an intercom, a lift and a friendly Town Hall Keeper called Dave. Every level of the building is accessible, with Literature Festival welcomers, easily identifiable, who give a personal welcome to all people who have booked disabled tickets. We were shown to reserved seats or spaces with reserved seats for carer too! The seats are usually in thoughtful places, with a great view, easy to access and exit. Welcomers assist if there are crowds exiting and hold back the flow. We are regular attendees and this year the welcome was very warm. I can say this event is so enjoyable for my husband, who is a power chair user and for me. There are no access worries, a good bar and a festival with a varied and stimulating programme.

Transport & Parking

Parking was on public streets in Chester, directly outside. The streets are semi pedestrianised with some cobbles but plenty of drop downs. Chester Bus Station is in the next street for public transport links.

Access

Access to the Town Hall is via Princess Street at the Police Station entrance. A sign states it is the level access to the Town Hall, but no Braille. To gain access, push the intercom and the Town Hall Keeper will speak to you and he/she will come down to escort you in to the lift and take you to your destination in the Town Hall. The lift is roomy enough for the keeper, a powerchair and three other people. It has enough space to turn a chair round. Fooring throughout the corridors is carpeting with wooden flooring in the main hall and entrance hall. Flat entrance to all public rooms used by the Festival. T Loop in use and all speakers use the microphone system.

Toilets

Disabled loo on the ground floor, clearly signed on the door, but I had to ask to find it on the first attempt. It has plenty of space, grab rails and a lower level washbasin. Good hot water and paper towels. It is always beautifully clean and sweet smelling.

Staff

The Town Hall Keeper, Dave is unfailingly helpful, he turns up at the end of an event to conduct us to the lift, and points out if there is a delay, and ensures refreshment staff at the bar are available. He is hospitable and patient and makes every visit to the Literature Festival a real pleasure because we know there won't be any issues with our visit. The Literature Festival welcomers are aso unfailingly helpful and are active in helping any disabled visitor to be comfortable.

Anything else you wish to tell us?

We have become regulars at the Chester Literature Festival. and I would recommend it to anyone interested in such an event. It is due to use a new venue, called Storyhouse in the near future, but I am sure the Town Hall will be used again. If you aren't local to Chester, please be aware that Chester is a great city to visit, but many parts of it are a bit of a nightmare to get around because of cobbles and several buildings on The Rows in the main shopping street being totally off limits - a truly Victorian shopping experience. It would be worth doing more research on the city before you came. The Festival itself is just great, however and I'm sure we'l be there next year!