Overview

My partner/carer and I went to go see Alun Cochrane as part of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. His show was amazing. The venue was nice and clean but not exactly accessible. There were about 12 steps down into the venue itself which were fairly evenly spaced out and no visible access without stairs. As it's a small venue there were tables and chairs so closely packed together that even if you could get in without stairs, you wouldn't have been able to manoeuvre yourself in a wheelchair or with a walking aid. Props to the staff they were great and got me a highbacked chair when I explained I couldn't sit in a backless chair because of my condition but as the venue was small and completely packed, we were very close to the stage so it hurt my back anyway. The staff were lovely, the bar was affordable but again the bar wasn't at an accessible height and there isn't enough space for access to the bar with mobility aids. Thankfully I was having a good leg day otherwise I wouldn't have been able to get into the venue.

Transport & Parking

As it's in the centre of Edinburgh there's not much parking. My partner and I took the bus and we had a fair 10 minute walk from the bus stop up a hill which you expect when in Edinburgh. Our bus stop was on Princes Street and there are lots of buses that take you there and the tram can also get you fairly close by.

Access

As stated on the previous page, there was no visible wheelchair or non-step access. The venue was small and cramped so there wasn't much space for those in need of mobility aids to get around. The bar is too high to be accessible to manual wheelchair users and there isn't space by it for a wheelchair or bulkier mobility aids. No BSL and I saw no signs for induction loops. Staff were lovely and got me a high back chair as they were using backless stools for seating which I could not use. Approx. 12 steps entrance/exit to the venue and further steps if you are a smoker.

Toilets

Did not visit the bathroom and could not see any signs for an accessible bathroom. Due to venue being packed, I couldn't have gotten to it if there was one anyway

Staff

Friendly, chatty and willing to help. They joked with us and really made the event a success.