Overview

Totally unimpressed with the AO Arena in Manchester for recent Andre Rieu concert. We had booked a wheelchair space and accompanying carer seat. On arrival in the area (Block 109) it seemed to be a free for all - the ticket merely gives you access to that area and you fit the wheelchair in wherever there is a space (if there is one), and then with luck a steward finds an (uncomfortable) fold up chair for the carer. Why cannot spaces be clearly allocated and marked as they are in other venues? Disabled people were still arriving right up to the interval, presumably due to the poor lift access to the venue (see below). Access to the venue is a joke. Only one lift from the station to get in for all wheelchair users. The lift holds 16 people, but only 2 wheelchairs can fit in at any one time. Consequently a large queue to get in and out. while we were there stewards refused to allow a chair to be brought down to someone with mobility difficulties in the line who clearly was struggling with the length of time in the queue. For the future we will not be going back when there are so many other venues who regard disabled customers with respect.

Transport & Parking

1.5

Above station so public transport a good option. Signage could be improved both outside and inside the venue. There was for instance no indication in the seating area of which way the toilet facilities were.

Access

0

Only one lift for all attendees who could not use the stairs. Wholly inadequate leading to 30 minutes plus queuing time to get in. Wheelchair area in stadium is at the back. The view is OK, but it is unlit, even in the interval, possibly so no-one can see how squalid it is. No allocated individual seating.

Toilets

0

Did not use

Staff

1.5

Only one member of staff on security for wheelchair users, so very slow, but she was pleasant. Stewards in seating area helpful within bounds of the layout, but very noisy during the show, and no interest in whether you were ok during the show. No sign of them at the end of the show. One member of staff supervising the single lift to ensure it was not under or overloaded. He was helpful and apologetic for the appalling facilities.