Access
The Winding Wheel Theatre aims to be accessible to all and we are committed to making your visit as easy and enjoyable as possible.
We host a Cultural Services Access Group to share ideas around new and effective ways to enable attendance by the widest range of people. The group meets at regular intervals throughout the year. For more details about the access group, please contact Wendy Blunt, Health and Wellbeing Officer on 01246 959 657 or wendy.blunt@chesterfield.gov.uk.
Please contact us if you have suggestions on how we can improve the information we share about access within our venues.
Before your visit
How to book accessible tickets
Customers with access needs can book tickets online, over the phone and in person. This includes tickets for essential companions and wheelchair users.
To activate the option to book accessible tickets, please complete our access register.
Customers booking on behalf of someone with an access need should book by phone or in person.
How to join our access register
You can join our access register on our website or by contacting the box office.
Online, the access register is part of the sign-up process when creating a new customer account. If you already have an account, the access register can be found and updated under ‘My Account’ and ‘Other Preference’.
Essential companions
We are delighted to provide a complimentary essential companion ticket to individuals who need assistance in a public venue and are unable to manage on their own.
An essential companion should be fully capable of assisting the customer with their needs including providing emergency evacuation assistance.
For this reason, customers and their essential companions must sit next to each other at seated events.
Wheelchair users and their essential companions
On our seating plan, wheelchair-user spaces are marked with a wheelchair-user icon. Wheelchair user Essential Companion seats are marked with an E.
The auditorium floor is flat and wheelchair spaces are located on the left side of the auditorium when facing the stage. For safety reasons including emergency evacuation, please remain in your wheelchair during performances.
Non-wheelchair users and their essential companions
Please select your own ticket and an essential companion ticket type when booking. If you are on the access register, the ticket will discount the essential companion ticket to zero at check out.
Large print materials
If you need a large print version of any printed materials, please let the box office know in advance, and we'll be happy to help.
Seat dimensions
Seating Plan
The seating plan can vary for each event and is available to view when booking online.
Auditorium seats
The auditorium is on ground level and the seat measurements are as follows:
Width: 42cm
Depth: 40cm
Leg room: 47cm
Armrests: No
Fixed to the floor: No
Backrest: Gap between the seat and the backrest.
Floor: Flat
Stairs to get to seats: No
Circle seats
The circle is on the upper floor of the theatre and it is accessible by stairs only.
Width: 44cm (arm to arm)
Depth: 46cm
Leg room 28-40cm, depending on seat.
Armrests: Yes, fixed
Fixed to the floor: Yes
Backrest: No gap
Floor: Sloped
Stairs to get to seats: Yes
Booster seats
Are available on request. These can be used in the auditorium and circle.
During your visit
Navigating the venue
Venue familiarisation
We appreciate that visiting a new place can be a challenging experience for some people. If you have booked tickets to one of our events and one of your party would benefit from a pre-event tour or touch tour (if offered as part of the show), then please get in touch with Wendy Blunt, Health and Wellbeing officer on 01246 959 657 wendly.blunt@chesterfield.gov.uk
Main entrance and box office
Access to the Winding Wheel Theatre is via the main entrance on the ground floor and this is at street level.
The main doors lead into a foyer area where you will find the box office.
The auditorium
The auditorium is on the ground floor and is fully accessible with wheelchair user spaces and accessible toilet facilities. There is a bar on this same level.
The Circle
On the first floor and accessible by 22 steps or lift, press button 2. From here, the circle seating area is accessed by a further 9 steps. The circle seats cannot be accessed by lift.
Once in the circle, there is a horizontal aisle off which there are steps to access the rows of seats. The closest rows to the horizontal aisle are D and E.
Function Room
On the first floor and accessible by 22 stairs or lift, press button 1. Access into the room itself is by one step, but a temporary ramp is available upon request.
Ballroom
On the second floor and accessible by lift, press button 2. Also accessible by 22 steps from the main foyer. From here, pass through the circle bar area and take a further 9 stairs.
Accessible toilets
The Winding Wheel has 2 accessible toilets. One in the main entrance area and one on the first floor. The first floor toilet can be accessed by lift or by stairs.
Venue Familiarisation
We appreciate that visiting a new place can be a challenging experience for some people. If you have booked tickets to one of our events and one of your party would benefit from a pre-event tour or touch tour (if offered as part of the show), then please get in touch with Wendy Blunt, Health and Wellbeing officer on 01246 959657.
Accessible toilets
The Winding Wheel has 2 accessible toilets. One in the main entrance area and one on the first floor. The toilets can be acccess by lift or by stairs.
Hearing Assistance
The auditorium is fitted with an infra-red hearing system. The system requires the user to wear a lightweight receiver which is worn round the neck. If you wish to use one of these, please ask at the Stage Bar.
The Winding Wheel function room has an induction loop system to boost the sound of an individual’s hearing aid.
Assistance dogs
Assistance dogs are welcome but please let the box office know when booking.
Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan
If you require assistance from our staff you need to make us aware on arrival and a PEEP (Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan) can be put in place/discussed, otherwise we will assume you are able to exit the building without our assistance.
Accessible Events
BSL interpreted performances
Our BSL performances are interpreted by a British Sign Language (BSL) signer. The signer will stand to one side of the stage and use sign language to communicate what is sung and/or spoken by artists on stage.
Captioned performances
Captions are similar to television subtitles and give customers with hearing loss access to live performances. Captions can also be useful for those whose first language is not English. The actors' words appear on display units at the same time as they are spoken or sung. The captions are displayed on a screen which is on the stage, or sometimes captions maybe available via an app.
Relaxed performances
Open to everyone and specifically adapted for those with learning disabilities and other sensory and communication disorders – providing a more relaxed and supportive atmosphere in order to reduce anxiety and allow people to experience live theatre. At a Relaxed Performance there will be no flashing lights, reduced sound, house lights will remain on so the auditorium is not so dark.
Dementia Friendly Screenings
Music and theatre play an important role in engaging with people who are living with dementia and can contribute significantly to maintaining people’s independence and reduce social isolation.
Touch Tours
A guided touch tour around the set to put the performance in context to enhance the experience for blind and partially sighted customers.
Cultural Services Access Group
We host a Cultural Services Access Group to share ideas around new and effective ways to enable attendance by the widest range of people. The group meets at regular intervals throughout the year.
For more details about the access group, please contact Wendy Blunt, Health and Wellbeing Officer on 01246 959 657 or wendy.blunt@chesterfield.gov.uk.
When the next date is available, it will be announced below.
Upcoming accessible events
Cinderella Pantomime
The Wizard of Oz (1939)
Dementia Friendly Screening
Boy on the Roof
Far From the Madding Crowd
Dracula
Jack and the Beanstalk Pantomime
