Overview

Hoxton Hall is a performance arts theatre and community centre with good access. It is a grade II* listed building and a former Music Hall. Overall access is very good, just would say signage could be better and corridor into auditorium and main corridor.

Transport & Parking

Hoxton Hall is on Hoxton Street which runs parallel to Kingsland Road, a main road where several buses stop. It is a short distance from the Museum of Home. I travelled by bus 394 which runs from Angel Islington to Homerton Hospital and stops on Crondall Street/ Hoxton Street Market, which I found to be the bus route that stopped closest to the venue. From there is is a level couple of minutes walk to the hall. Nearest tube station is Hoxton Overground which has step free access. Nearest rail station is Liverpool Street Station.

Access

There is level access from step level and the entrance door is automatic. This leads into a small foyer with a counter at one side and bench seating either side. I attending a performance and the doors through to the corridor and auditorium were already open. There is a long corridor during the busy performance was crowded in the interval as people were coming down stairs, people queueing for the bar, it was a bit tight with me and my crutch getting through the crowd to get to the lift to the accessible toilet. The auditorium at ground level has free standing dining room style seats with back support but no arms. From where I was sitting I could see an upper balcony which encompasses three sides of the auditorium. However, I could not see what type of seating was provided upstairs and as I did not go up there I don't know how accessible it is. The bar is at the far end of the long corridor but I did not visit. There is a spacious lift or a staircase with handrails to access the other floors.

Toilets

The accessible toilet is not well signposted and after going along the corridor to the bar and back again, I asked at the front desk and was directed to the lower ground floor. Exiting the lift on my left I saw a wide open door with a sign saying gender neutral bathroom. From the sign there was no indication this was an accessible toilet so I walked all the way down the corridor and back again looking for an accessible toilet. Thankfully the lower ground floor was quieter and easy to mauver along. I retraced my steps and given that no door was labelled as accessible toilet I went back to the gender neutral bathroom to discover it was also the accessible toilet. No problem with sharing space, but wish that Hoxton Hall had signposted that it was also the accessible toilet, as it would have saved a lot of time and energy. For people who have bladder and bowel problems finding an accessible toilet quickly is important to save potential mishaps. The toilet itself was spacious, clean and tidy. There were plenty of grab rails, lower sink and an emergency cord that reached to the ground.

Staff

Had minimal contact with staff, on arrival showing my ticket and at the interval asking where the accessible toilet was. On both occasions staff were very friendly and very helpful.

Anything else you wish to tell us?

This is a lovely small theatre venue which is very accessible. Just be aware corridors get busy and given the width may take a bit of time to get from one end to the other. Please, better signage for the accessible toilet and lifts would be very helpful for first time visitors, as when you exit the auditorium and it is busy it is difficult to know where things are. Loved the performance I saw, I had a side on view to the stage, which provided an excellent view. Would definitely return.

Photos