Overview

The new refurb, restoring the grand thirties style has replaced the old juddery platform lift and tiny raised disabled area at the very back with a well thought out open area, nearer the stage for reserved disable use. The building has a ramp to the right of the entrance, well staffed with friendly and helpful security and stewards. Disabled tickets need to be reserved by calling the venue directly. There is at least one disabled toilet and staff have a key. They also escort you to the disabled area which is cordoned off to ensure no one is using your space.

Transport & Parking

Hammersmith tube station (Piccadilly and District lines) is a five minute roll, along with local bus routes. Parking is permit controlled but Blue Badge holders can use spaces. I did not see any disabled spaces. There is no car park and the area is quite busy, we've parked two minutes away in Queen Caroline Street both times we visited and found a space but there is no guarantee. Easy place for taxi drop off or collecting from outside the venue.

Access

The reserved disabled area is accessible via a sweeping,wide ramp. Cordoned off for reserved use the space can be arranged to seat carers and wheelchair users as needed. Raised above the stalls with the circle on the same level,it puts you among the crowd yet apart enough so one feels part of things but in you own safe bit with no heads in front of you. Staff are friendly and very helpful. Great view of stage area.

Toilets

There is one disabled toilet on the ground floor to the left of the auditorium entrance. I don't have a radial key, but friendly staff have one and I was escorted by a pleasant gentleman who waited at a discrete distance before escorting me back to my seat. It was spacious, well equipped and clean enough at the beginning of the evening. Could do with at least one more on the right of the auditorium where the disabled area is.

Staff

I've only been twice since using a powerchair, to see Goldfrapp in concert, so it is very well staffed with stewards and security staff, all of whom are friendly and helpful. Since the refurb, more thought has been given to disabled visitors and their needs and they almost treat you like a VIP escorting you to your area and the toilet or anywhere else. There was a steward nearby throughout at the emergency exit who said to to let him know if I wanted anything.

Anything else you wish to tell us?

Overall you get the sense they've thought about disabled peoples' needs in the refurb, whether by training or nature the staff are eager to help and see you which makes it easy to get their attention. Both times we visited I was treated like a VIP in a nice non-patronisung way