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Hartlepool Town Hall Theatre

Raby Road, Hartlepool, TS24 8AH

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Access Guide

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Overview

Toilet and Changing Facilities

  • Toilet Facilities View
    • There is 1 toilet with adaptations.
    • The toilet with adaptations is located to the right as you enter the venue.
    • The toilet with adaptations has a left hand transfer space.
    • The male and female step-free toilet facilities are located on the right and left as you enter the venue.
  • Changing Places and Changing Facilities View
    • Parent and baby changing facilities are located within the toilet with adaptations and the standard female toilets.

Parking

  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop-off point available.
  • Public Car Parks View
    • There is a public car park located in Swainson Street, opposite the venue.
    • Designated Blue Badge parking bays are not available in the car park.

Entrance (Main)

  • This entrance is located on Raby Road.
  • The approach to the entrance has uneven surfaces.
  • The entrance area is not clearly signed.
  • There is a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at the entrance.
  • There is step-free access via slope at the entrance.
  • The slope has a slight gradient.
  • There are double manual doors at this entrance.
  • The doors are permanently held open.
  • The width of the opening is 134cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
  • The doors have a low visual contrast.
  • There is a second set of double manual doors.
  • The second set of doors open both ways.
  • The width of the opening is 156cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
  • The second set of doors have a low visual contrast.
  • There is step-free level access as you enter.

Reception

  • The reception is located ahead as you enter the venue.
  • The distance from the entrance is 3m.
  • There is step-free level access to reception.
  • The height of the reception desk is 105cm.
  • There is not a lowered section at the desk.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • There is background noise in this area which varies depending on the time of day.
  • Lighting levels were low at the time of the survey.

Getting Around

  • There is step-free level access throughout the majority of areas.
  • The following areas have stepped access: the balcony and all tiered seats.
  • Access throughout may include manual doors and doors permanently held open.
  • Some flooring is shiny.
  • The visual contrast between the walls and floor varies between low and high.
  • There is background noise in this area which varies depending on the function/event.
  • Wayfinding signage is provided.
  • Signage is not clearly visible.
  • The colour, design and typeface of signs is consistent throughout.
  • Seating available in the walkways includes: chairs without armrests.
  • Lighting levels were low at the time of the survey.
  • Lighting levels are adjustable in some areas.

Entrance (Theatre)

  • This entrance is located to the right as you enter the venue.
  • The entrance area is clearly signed.
  • There is step-free level access at the entrance.
  • There is a single manual door at this entrance.
  • The door has an open extension leaf.
  • The door opens towards you.
  • The width of the opening is 126cm.
  • The door has a high visual contrast.

Theatre

  • Theatre Information View
    • Advanced bookings are available.
    • Concessions are available.
    • Captioned performances are not available.
    • Signed performances are not available.
    • Audio described performances are not available.
    • Autism friendly/relaxed performances are available.
    • Autism friendly performances are available for certain pantomime performances.
    • Sensory friendly performances are not available.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • Auditorium View
    • The most accessible route to the auditorium has step-free level access.
    • There is step-free level access to a row of seating.
    • There is a designated seating area.
    • The following rows have stepped access: B to T.
    • Seating available includes: flip-down seats with armrests.

Designated Seating

  • The designated seating area surveyed is located in front of the Row B seating.
  • The distance from the theatre entrance is 8m.
  • There is step-free level access to the designated seating.
  • The designated seating area is not clearly marked or signed .
  • The number of spaces for wheelchair users varies.
  • The view from this seating area is clear from obstructions.
  • Companions sit behind you.
  • There is a member of staff available for assistance.
  • There is space for an assistance dog to rest.

Lift (Stage)

  • The lift surveyed is located on the left side of the stage.
  • This lift is a platform lift.
  • The distance from the theatre entrance is 10m.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access.
  • The lift has a level manoeuvring space in front of it for a wheelchair user (150cm x 150cm).
  • The external lift control buttons have a medium visual contrast.
  • The majority of the external controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • The lift is slow moving and the button needs to be pressed constantly when in use.
  • Lighting levels were low at the time of the survey.

Eating and Drinking (The Bar)

  • Location and Access View
    • The Bar is located on the right side as you enter the theatre.
    • The most accessible route has manual doors and step-free level access.
    • There is step-free level access into this area.
    • There are double manual doors with a low visual contrast.
    • The doors open away from you.
    • The width of the opening is 180cm.
  • Service View
    • This area has staff who can provide assistance with ordering and a bar where food and drink can be ordered.
    • Full table service is not available.
    • The following are available: drinking straws.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • Order and Payment View
    • The bar was surveyed.
    • The counter is located ahead as you enter.
    • There is step-free level access to the counter.
    • The height of the counter is 108cm.
    • There is not a lowered section at the counter.
    • The counter has mirrors and glazed screens.
  • Seating Area View
    • There is step-free level access throughout the seating area.
    • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
    • There is space for an assistance dog to rest.
    • The flooring is shiny.
    • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
    • Seating available in this area includes: high stools and chairs with armrests.
    • Furniture available in this area includes: high tables and tables.
    • Some tables are fixed.
    • The surface height of the tables is not suitable for wheelchair users.
    • The clear height under some of the tables is suitable for wheelchair users.
    • There is background noise in this area which varies depending on the function/event.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
    • Lighting levels are adjustable.

Toilet with Adaptations (Left Hand Transfer)

  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet surveyed is located to the right as you enter the venue.
    • The distance from the main entrance is 5m.
    • The most accessible route to the toilet has step-free level access.
    • There is step-free level access into the facility.
    • There is pictorial signage on or near the door.
    • The door opens outwards and has a low visual contrast.
    • The width of the door opening is 91cm.
    • The door has a locking handle (with a RADAR key to access).
    • Internally the door has a low visual contrast.
    • There is a grab rail on the internal door with a high visual contrast.
  • Dimensions and Features View
    • The dimensions of the cubicle are 161cm (width) x 180cm (depth) and there is not room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
    • There is a lateral transfer space to the left as you face the toilet, however it is obstructed.
    • The lateral transfer space is 100cm (from the side of the toilet pan).
    • There is a spatula flush on the transfer side.
    • There is a horizontal grab rail on the non-transfer side.
    • The horizontal grab rail has a high visual contrast.
    • There is a vertical grab rail on the transfer side.
    • The vertical grab rail has a high visual contrast.
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • The dropdown rail has a high visual contrast.
    • The toilet seat is 46cm from the floor.
    • The toilet seat has a low visual contrast.
    • There is a wall mounted toilet roll holder which can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The toilet roll holder has a low visual contrast.
    • The toilet roll holder is 101cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin and taps can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is 73cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin has a lever mixer tap.
    • The vertical grab rail is on the left as you face the wash basin.
    • The wash basin grab rail has a high visual contrast.
    • There is a wall mounted soap dispenser which can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The soap dispenser has a low visual contrast.
    • The soap dispenser is 106cm from the floor.
    • There is not a towel dispenser.
    • There is a wall mounted hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer has a low visual contrast.
    • The hand dryer is 109cm from the floor.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm, however it is not within 10cm from the floor.
    • There is no mirror.
    • There is no shelf.
    • The cubicle has a sanitary bin and a waste bin.
    • There are no coat hooks.
    • The height of the baby change facility when in use is 79cm.
    • The walls and floor have a low visual contrast.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

Stairs

  • The stairs surveyed are located to the right as you enter the venue.
  • There are double manual doors to access the stairwell.
  • The ground floor and balcony can be accessed by these stairs.
  • There are 20 steps between floors.
  • The steps are unmarked and have handrails on both sides.
  • The handrails are not easy to grip.
  • The handrails cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
  • The handrails do not extend horizontally beyond the first and last step.
  • The height of the steps is between 15cm and 18cm.
  • The height of the highest step is 18cm.
  • The depth of the steps is not between 30cm and 45cm.
  • Lighting levels were low at the time of the survey.

Seating Area (Balcony)

  • Location and Access View
    • The balcony is located on the first floor.
    • The most accessible route has steps.
    • There is step-free level access into this area.
  • Seating Area View
    • There is step-free level access throughout the seating area, this may include the use of a lift.
    • The following areas have stepped access: the lower tiered seating.
    • There is not space for an assistance dog to rest.
    • The walls and floor visual contrast varies between low and high.
    • Seating available in this area includes: chairs with armrests.
    • The chairs are fixed.
    • There is background noise in this area which varies depending on the function/event.
    • Lighting levels were low at the time of the survey.
    • Lighting levels are adjustable.