Overview

Although this was a very comfortable cinema and they had lots of options for alternate viewings (e.g. relaxed, subtitled) at regular times - it definitely makes a change being able to go to the cinema at 5pm rather than 9am! - it was extremely expensive and it was very clear that the accessibility of the place hadn't been thought of properly. From very narrow pathways to heavy doors, this was not a disabled-friendly cinema.

Transport & Parking

I don't drive, so I don't know what the parking is like - but from a quick search, the nearest blue badge spaces are on Hood Street. There is also good access via the metro; the monument is the nearest stop, less than one minute walk away. As I have a disabled bus pass, I went with my partner by bus. There is a direct bus that stops very near the cinema.

Access

The accessibility really hadn't been thought through properly at all! Although there is step-free access into the building, the door is not power-assisted and is extremely heavy - I was lucky that my partner was with me and was able to open it for me because I definitely would not have been able to open it on my own. The next thing to note is that all the signs are extremely high up and in fluorescent pink/red lighting with no braille translation - which could cause issues for those with visual impairments or those susceptible to migraines, seizures and/or sensory impairments (e.g. autism). While the lift is close to the entrance of the building, once called, the door has to be manually pulled open (not great, for someone who is hypermobile) and again is extremely (and unnecessarily) heavy to the point that if I was on my own, I would not have been able to enter through the main door or the lift due to the extreme weight of the doors (and there is no explanation of what to do in this scenario, for example, although I am deaf, there is no call button by the lift, like there usually is for hearing customers). I am also a manual wheelchair user (which is quite small) and I don't know how well a mobility scooter or powerchair would fit in the lift - especially as the door to get out of the lift is different to the door entered and would require turning around in a small lift. To go up/down, the lift buttons also have to be held down! Once out of the lift, the floor is then carpeted (another design flaw), which is very difficult to wheel on and the signage is not at all clear for how to get to the screenings from leaving the lift - so if going I would advise going to the bar, which is near the lift. No additional seating was notably visible in the hallways. In each screening, only one wheelchair space is available - however, there are seats and sofas which are possible to transfer to and there are hearing assist capabilities.

Toilets

Unfortunately, this was not a changing places toilet and alongside the fact that YET AGAIN the door had to be manually opened (again, heavy), it had no signage apart from an extremely small round disabled logo halfway up on the door, it was extremely small - I have a very small manual wheelchair and there is definitely no way anyone else (e.g. carer) could fit inside with me in there - and the toilet flush was at an awkward height and angle. My partner also informs me that there was also loud music playing, which could be very offputting, especially for those who are autistic. However, it was clean and there were plenty of grab bars and a red cord that hung all the way to the floor - so if you can open the door (or get someone to), it is manageable.

Staff

Although the staff did not appear to know sign language, they were all very friendly and made us feel very welcome. However, the staff came to the front of the screen at the start of the subtitled viewing to announce who they were and that they would be checking on us - which did appear slightly odd, especially given that they knew at least one member of the audience was deaf and thus would not be able to hear.

Anything else you wish to tell us?

In order to book a companion with a wheelchair space and to use a CEA card, the only options are to go in person or phone to book (compared to using their online booking system) - so not a great start for me as I am deaf. I would not recommend this to anyone who has a mobility-based impairment who is going alone, but if you are going with a companion and are able to phone up, it's a nice enough place - and the seats are very comfy (bonus: they also bring food and drinks to your seat!)

Photos