Overview

I went in to this one blind as there was no information online about the access here. To my knowledge there is no parking, very easy building to access however, accessible toilets using radar key. Not an ideal venue for people with physical disabilities, it is probably my least favourite venue for a gig so far but I still enjoyed it!

Transport & Parking

This was my first time visiting the SEC, I’m a regular at the Hydro though so knew the parking at the venue wasn’t great. We parked across at The Village Hotel where we also went for tea (see separate review). This is a long walk if you have mobility problems, but in my powerchair it was smooth and easy, it took about 5 minutes to get there.

Access

We approached staff at the entrance to the SEC and were let through the end door (with the disabled access tickets you don’t need to wait in line). The security guy at the door was super friendly and jovial, a good start! Getting in was easy with level access throughout. We looked for hall 3 but couldn’t find it marked, we walked past a few doors before asking a fellow gig-goer who pointed us to it, there weren’t many staff about. We entered the hall and a staff member came and said they’d lead us over, I wanted to go to the merch stand but they hadn’t asked any questions and started walking. We followed to the far end of the room to a raised platform with two long ramps at each side. My tickets each had seating/area numbers so I was disappointed when told it was first-come-first-serve and we were lined up rows, making it difficult to see past those in front. Another person was arguing this point also as the person they were supporting was in a very low chair and would not have been able to see, the staff wouldn’t budge though. The stage was situated in the middle of the room (at the wall) and we were so far to the side I didn’t really feel part of the gig and struggled to see well. There were no screens like in the hydro.

Toilets

I couldn’t see any signage for the toilets but saw one across from hall 3 (so there are none in the hall itself). The toilet was accessed by radar key, the room was long but slim, with just enough space to turn. The sink was low, mirror was too high up, it had grab rails, was tidy, there was space for another and there was a red cord with a Euans Guide red cord card.

Staff

The staff were lacking at this event. The door staff to the building were great but at hall 3 they were actually quite rude. The person at the door had abruptly told I wasn’t allowed to bring the juice I’d just bought (bars and shops are next to hall 3) after discussing my needs another member of staff told her it was ok and they took over. We weren’t asked but just led through the crowd to the platform where the staff were abrupt and not friendly, when I shared my concern I couldn’t see and showed my allocated place the staff member simply repeated ‘first come first serve’. At the end of the gig, these staff remained on the platform and forced a smile. There were no staff there to help us out through the packed crowd, I couldn’t see a thing. I still needed to get to the merch stand, my carer tried to lead me through the tightly packed hall and luckily many gig-goers were friendly and called for others to make space. I didn’t see any staff during this.

Anything else you wish to tell us?

Of course it’s great that there’s a disabled platform that allows wheelchair users to attend gigs in hall 3, but putting it right at the side of the room means we have a very poor view. A better place would be along the back of the room, this way we could see the stage and feel part of the gig and there would be a long line like most venues so we can see, instead of having us in rows. The merch was also so high up it was difficult to reach for my 5 ft 11 carer, so if you’re in a wheelchair you’ll definitely need assistance here. Not access related, but the sound quality of the gig wasn’t great- the singers mic wasn’t loud enough so it was hard to make out what he was singing over all the other noise, something I’d expect from sound for a support band but not the main band and tickets were expensive. Perhaps just not a great venue for music!

Photos