Accessibility

Accessible Information When Visiting Colchester Arts Centre

Colchester Arts Centre operates from a fully accessible converted church. We follow the social model of disability, which looks at dismantling the external barriers experienced by d/deaf, disabled, and neuro divergent people. We want to ensure that our staff, artists, and audiences are welcomed into our space and can access our programme of performances and events.

Accessible Entrance

If you have purchased a PA/ Companion ticket and you are unable to queue you are welcome to come in via our Access Entrance door. These will usually open 10 minutes before the main doors. Ring the doorbell on the right side and the Duty Manager or Access Host will let you in. It is not possible to let you in earlier than 10 minutes and sometimes we may ask you to wait outside whilst we finish setting up the space. 

Once the main entrance doors are open, we ask that you use this entrance into the venue. 

Access Hosts

 Where possible, we provide an Access Host to assist you when you come to our venue. This can include helping you find your seats and purchase drinks, if required.

Accessible Performances

We update any accessible performances here where you can click through to the show for to find out more information. New events will be added here as they are added into the programme. 

Access Riders

Artists / companies who use access riders, please send these on to stafford@colchesterartscentre.com. Staff have been trained to understand what access riders are and how they can be used to support nuanced access provisions.

Assistance Dogs

Assistance dogs are welcome throughout the venue and at all events. Bowls of water can be supplied; please let us know when booking or on arrival.

Audio Description

Shows with Audio Description will be listed in the table above and the captioning symbol is shown on the event page. If you require audio description and it is not listed please add a comment in your booking and we will contact you.

Box Office

At present we are unable to provide ramped access to the main box office entrance. Wheelchair users are asked to ring the assistance bell on the wall outside and we will come and see you to arrange step free access.

Captioning

Shows with Captioning will be listed in the table above and the captioning symbol is shown on the event page.

Car Parking

We have three blue badge parking spaces directly outside our venue on Church Street. The parking bays are available on a first come first served basis. We are unable to pre book these spaces as they are on a public road. If you’re attending an event where there are tour buses parked outside, due to the width of the road, the parking spaces become inaccessible.

PLEASE NOTE: These badge holder spaces will be unavailable on Sunday 11th August due to Whitechapel tour bus.

Additional accessible parking is available at St Mary's Multi-storey car park. Please visit the ‘'How to Find Us' page on our website.

Watch a short video on the step-free journey from St Mary's Car Park to Colchester Arts Centre here.

Euan's Guide

Colchester Arts Centre has joined Euan's Guide to increase the awareness of the venue and the accessibility it offers If you have visited our venue please leave us a review by clicking the link below. When it opens, click Write Review. It will ask you to create an account to leave the review.  
euansguide.com/venues/colchester-arts-centre-colchester

Hearing Loop

If you use a hearing aid, please ask at the front desk for one of our necklaces - wearing this with your hearing aid in the T position will give you access to the hearing loop. We have also recently introduced bluetooth connection for the hearing loop.

PA/ Companion Tickets

We offer a complimentary ticket for a PA/ Companion who is necessary for your visit. Select a paid for Access ticket during the booking process on the website and then select 1 on the PA/ Companion ticket to add to your basket. You can also call the box office on 01206 500900.

Performance Space

We have step-free access from the street to the space. Our front doors can be opened and closed by means of a low level button press. Low level serving areas at our front desk and bars.

Priority area for wheelchair users

We have a rubber mat which signifies a priority area for wheelchair users at some of our standing events. This gives wheelchair users a clearer view of our stage and better access to the bar and toilets. If you would like to use this priority area, please let us know by stating in the 'access requirements' box when you book your tickets or by contacting our box office.

Relaxed Performances

Relaxed performances consider the needs of all audience members and the environment is adapted to create a more relaxed environment. Adaptions could be sound levels adjusted, lights may not be as dark, you may move around and make noise during the show. 

Rest Space

Our rest space is located near the box office. If there are any specific things that would make this space comfortable for you, then please do contact us and we will see what we can provide for you.

Seating

During standing gigs we can provide a limited number of seats at the rear of the venue for access customers, however visibility is very restricted at busy shows.  Please be aware there is no reserved/ raised area for access customers.

During seated gigs our seats are unallocated. However, we do have a number of seats reserved for customers with additional access requirements. During the booking process you can add your requirements in the comments box for the duty manager to see on the night of your visit. For example you require to sit near the front on the right due to being partially sighted or you prefer to sit at the back as you have autism and may need to leave the room. 

Sign Language Interpretation

Shows with BSL will be listed in the table above and the BSL symbol is shown on the event page.

Toilets

We have an accessible toilet located to the right of the main entrance. This is available to anyone with access needs - including (but not limited to) physical disabilities, neuro divergence, people experiencing anxiety or anyone who feels they would like to use it to feel comfortable.

We also offer gender neutral toilets (located on the right-hand side of the main entrance) which include 3 individual cubicles and a separate area with urinals. 

We have women's toilets located to the left-hand side, which include 5 individual cubicles.

If you require a visual description of our toilets prior to attending, please see our Visual Guide on this page.

Visual Guide

If you require a visual story of our venue which describes everything in pictures and text, from how to get to our venue and what to expect when you arrive., as an artist or audience member, you can download it below. 

Colchester Arts Centre Visual Story for Visitors.pdf

We're Here to Help

We're always happy to discuss any requirements you may have. Please email accessibility@colchesterartscentre.com  or call the box office on 01206 500900, 10am to 2pm Monday to Saturday.