Venue Description

Located in central Edinburgh during the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Fringe Central is available to any and all performers, producers, company members, arts industry or members of the media wanting to make use of our services and meet up with fellow Fringe participants.

Accessibility

The main Fringe Central entrance is located to the front of the building on Chapel Street on a level paved surface. The entrance provides access to the Lower Ground Floor lobby. The entrance consists of a large set of glass double doors on the left, and a revolving door on the right. The double doors can be accessed via a touch pad which is situated on the right of the door. These doors open outward and will permit the passage of a wheelchair. The doors lead to a vestibule area with steps leading up to Fringe Central Reception which is on the Ground Floor. There are 24 steps over 2 flights. To the right of the steps is a short walkway leading to a further set of double doors. These doors can be accessed via a touch pad. The doors lead to the lifts. On reaching the Ground Floor, Fringe Central Reception is accessed via wooden double doors. These doors do not have touch pads. There is a doorbell on the door accessed from the lift which rings at the Reception desk should you require assistance with the door. From the Fringe Central Reception there is level access to toilets, the Café and the Media Office. From the first floor there is level access to the Venues and Companies Office, the Arts Industry Office, the Workshop Room, and the Rehearsal Room. There is also access to the Lecture Theatres. From the second floor there is level access to FC Upstairs. The Workshop Room, Rehearsal Room and Lecture Theatres are the main spaces for the events, workshops and talks happening at Fringe Central. These events will be announced in the Participant Hub before they begin. If you are attending one of these events and require extra assistance, please make yourself known to the Fringe Central Assistants at the reception desk before the event begins. Alternatively, you can contact the Fringe Central team on 07958 170 609 or fringecentral@edfringe.com. The Workshop Room and Rehearsal Room are level throughout and have good circulation space. The Lecture Theatres seating is accessed down a series of steps. There is level access to the Lecture Theatres via lift to level 1, via a circulation corridor on that level which then gives access to the lecture theatre at the lower level. As none of the doors on this route are automatic, it would be of benefit to be accompanied by a Fringe Central Assistant. A detailed access guide with photos and maps is available via email from access@edfringe.com or fringecentral@edfringe.com

Accessible Performances

Many of our events are sign language interpreted and/or captioned. Please call or email us for further details 07958 170 609 or fringecentral@edfringe.com

Awards List

Euan's Guide Spirit of Inclusion Award 2016

Toilets

An accessible toilet is situated on the Ground Floor opposite the Crichton Street entrance. It can be accessed by going past the Reception Desk and past the Café, and to the right just before the big set of doors. The accessible toilets incorporate the following: − there is left hand lateral transfer space − there is good manoeuvring space − there are emergency pull chords − the door opens outward − the width of the accessible toilet door is suitable for wheelchairs − there are suitable dropdown and support rails to assist transfer − the tap type is lever operation − there are no coat hooks − the contrast between the grab rails and wall is fair − the contrast between the walls and floor is good − the lighting level in the cubicle is good There is a Mobiloo, a mobile Changing Place, situated next to the disabled parking bays on Windmill Street, next to Fringe Central. It is open daily during the Fringe from 10am until 8pm. This will be staffed by volunteers from inclusion charity PAMIS. Changing Places allow people with profound and multiple learning disabilities, as well people with other physical disabilities to use the toilet or be changed with dignity and respect. For more information, please visit the Changing Places website http://www.changing-places.org/

Staff

All of the Fringe Central Assistant and Management team undertake Euan's Guide Disability Equality Training as part of their core training for the role, and one of our 2017 team has a British Sign Language Level 1 qualification. Our staff are always willing to support anyone that requires assistance. We can be contacted on 07958 170 609 or by email at fringecentral@edfringe.com

Assistance dog facilities

Assistance dog exercise facilities

The nearest area for exercising an assistance dog off-lead would be The Meadows which is approximately 500m away.

Other assistance dog facilities

Water bowls can be provided for assistance dogs.