Information to help improve your visit
Supporting patrons with access needs
Information for older audiences
Patrons with limited mobility:
Patrons who do not use a wheelchair but do have limited mobility have easy access to seats at the same level as the auditorium entrance. A member of the Front of House team will happily reserve seats in these rows before the auditorium opens to the public if requested. If you wish to reserve seats on this level you can phone the venue and let a member of staff know, or add a note to your online booking.
Patrons with Hearing Impairment:
The auditorium at The Place is equipped with a hearing aid induction loop. Hearing aid users should switch their hearing aids to the ‘T’ setting once seated in the auditorium.
Information for all audiences
Support for customers with Wheelchairs
Due to layout limitations at the venue we can accommodate a limited number of wheelchairs for our regular performances. We ask patrons with wheelchairs to contact us directly to book a wheelchair position (as well as companion seats) when booking their tickets:
We can improve your booking experience online if you call us on 01234 354321 to discuss setting up our complimentary companion’s ticket discount on your customer account. You will only need to do this once, and after that each time you login to buy tickets at The Place Bedford you will automatically receive your complimentary companion ticket before you complete your transaction.
Once at the theatre: The entrance from the main car park into the foyer and bar area, and the route through into auditorium to the wheelchair positions, is all at the same level with no steps to negotiate. A lavatory designed for wheelchair users and those with limited mobility is available immediately outside the auditorium entrance.
We regret that there is no wheelchair access to the rehearsal and meeting rooms and offices on the upper floor of the building. This is of no consequence to our events attendees, as all public theatre facilities are on the ground floor, but could be of relevance for training courses and rehearsals which use the rehearsal rooms – please check with the organiser of your event to ascertain where it will be taking place.
Work for d/Deaf patrons
We try to programme regular events and activities that are accessible to members of the local d/Deaf community. This includes close captioning all of our Film Screening and regular live shows that incorporate either dynamic captioning, BSL interpretation, or non-verbal/non-aural work for all ages.
We’re working on developing a whole new page for this website that will help our d/Deaf patrons have quick and easy access to the events that are optimized for their enjoyment. Please stay tuned for more information
Relaxed Performances & Supporting Neurodiverse artists & Audiences
We believe that a trip to see some amazing arts and culture should be available to everyone in our community, regardless of the physical, mental or emotional barriers. We frequently programme work as part of our MINDSCAPES strand which centres the stories of neurodiverse artists, explores elements of lived mental health and supports local mental health charities and services.
As part of this we frequently programme shows and events that are ‘relaxed’ you can find out more about what this means by reading this helpful blog from WhatsOnStage.
To find out more about how we can support you and your family to get the most out of a visit to The Place Bedford, or for more information on our Relaxed Performances please check out our dedicated page here.