Overview

The venue was accessible enough for us to focus on the show, which was sublime - Bishi and Matthew Glamorre's Albion Voices multimedia extravaganza, which took place as part of the Alchemy Festival at the Southbank Centre.

Transport & Parking

If I hadn't been a VIP guest, the parking would have been a big fat zero, and therefore so would the whole review. But instead I had 'VIP Wheelchair Parking', which meant I could use the Blue Badge spaces that have been suspended since before 2012, and in fact made parking a 5-star experience. Granted, dedicated spaces have been freed up in the adjoining Haywards Gallery multistorey carpark, but as we repeatedly tell the management without result, many adapted vehicles - like mine - are too high for it. It was galling to see non-disabled people's lower cars taking up the spaces.

Access

People needing step-free access enter via the artists' entrance (around the back, but next to the parking). Entry is very straightforward and I got through the corridors & doorways without knocking my side bags off, something which is so common in new buildings that the velcro has now worn to a shred. The seats were in the front row, which is not for everyone (take a neck cushion so you can lean back), but did make it an immersive experience. The companion seats looked comfortable but don't have arms, meaning some companions may need to lean on wheelchairs to get up again.

Toilets

There is one accessible toilet (and others) situated just off the artists' bar. (Don't get too excited; the artists drink their riders in their dressing rooms, so whether the bar is open depends on the number of touring crew.) The toilet worked for me in terms of being able to get out of my chair without breaking my neck climbing over it to get to the loo, and certainly meets 2015 standards as well as being clean on the night.

Staff

Everyone was very pleasant and helpful. The QEH stage doorkeepers are used to dealing with disabled visitors, and an access steward quickly appeared to escort us through to the bar. This was closed, but he offered to fetch us drinks down from the main bar and these appeared rapidly, which freed up our PA to walk our assistance dogs. It has to be said that not everyone knew what to do when two assistance dogs joined us in the front row, but the front of house staff recovered quickly (and probably remembered we were guests of the artist so she could take any blame).

Anything else you wish to tell us?

The evening reminded me why, before the 'renovations' that removed so much Blue Badge parking and cheap food outlets, the Southbank Centre used to be very popular with disabled people. The management really must get its act together and authorise the security staff to allow over-height parking on the yellow lines and in the former Blue Badge spaces, and direct staff to the carpark where they can. There is room for all, and this is a venue that absorbs a huge amount of public money each year. I feel really uncomfortable that only 'VIP' status enabled me to access a magical night out.