Access

A warm welcome

We want everyone to enjoy their experience with us here at The Atkinson, and we recognise that there are many barriers. Every reasonable measure is taken to ensure that activities and events are accessible for all.

The Atkinson’s Access Policy Statement is available via this link: Access Policy Statement


Before you arrive

Check our opening times and plan how to get here; maps, public transport and blue badge parking details are available in the ‘Visit Us’ section of our website.

You can view The Atkinson’s floor plan below and download our Visual Story document before your visit.

The Atkinson’s brochure is available in alternative formats on request, please contact the Box Office.

Wheelchair spaces for theatre performances are available, please telephone our Box Office to book 01704 533 333. Carers ticket information can be found on the Box Office page.


The Building

The Atkinson is a large Grade II listed building

Main Entrance, Foyer, Shop, Box Office and Café

  • Access is at street level, the main entrance is a paved flat surface with a slight uphill gradient. There are automatic doors at the main entrance and approximately 5 metres in to the foyer space.
  • There is a lift to all floors, accessible toilets throughout the building and wheelchair spaces within the ground level section of the auditorium. We also have wheelchairs on site for visitor use if required.
  • The Shop and Box Office is on the left hand side and is fully accessible with low-level counter.
  • An induction loop is set up on our Box Office counter and full infra-red emitters are in the Theatre auditorium.
  • The building is well-lit.
  • Tables and chairs in the café are free standing. Large print menus will be available on request.
  • Ramps allow for wheelchair and pushchair access to the ground floor library and lift. The junior library is accessible via the lift in the main library.
  • There is a disabled toilet on the ground floor in between the foyer and the Library – this is accessible with a radar key. If you don’t have one – please ask any member of staff or at any manned desk on the ground floor.
  • The Café is on the right hand side of the entrance and is fully accessible with no steps.
  • The Shop is open when the Box Office is open

The Performance Spaces

  •  The Theatre and the Studio are located on level 1 of the building, and there are 32 steps up from the foyer
  • The Auditorium has a loop system. Please request assistance at Box Office
  • Wheelchairs enter the Theatre from level 2. There is a lift and a member of the team is always on hand to help you in any way. Accessible seating is located on U row, this is on a flat floor. There is potential for views to be obstructed if customers seated in rows in front are standing, especially during music shows when dancing is encouraged by the acts on stage.
  • Within the Studio wheelchairs enter through the main doors – there are no steps.
  • There are disabled toilets within the Studio

The Bars

  • The Theatre Bar is on level 1 has no steps and the counter in lowered in the centre for access
  • The Studio Bar is on level 1 within the actual performance space on the left hand side and the counter is lowered for access

The Library

  • There are two steps and ramp with hand-rail at library entrance.
  • There is lower level access point at cash desk.
  • There are two steps and lift down to junior library from main library.
  • We offer longer loan periods and overdue charge arrangements to borrowers with visual impairment.
  • We offer a selection on large print fiction & non-fiction books for standard loan.
  • We offer spoken word fiction & non-fiction in CD format. Issued on the same basis as a standard book loan and not chargeable.
  • Sefton library service offers an e-book and e-audio book lending service, staff in the library can help with accessing this service.
  • All public use computers have software installed to increase text size.
  • There are large format colour coded keyboard and mouse available on request.
  • The computers are fully accessible with adjustable table heights available.
  • The self- service machines have the facility to increase text size.
  • There is a portable Hearing Loop available on request.
  • There are 2 steps into the Children’s Library
  • You can use the lift just press -1 and it will take you to the Children’s Library

Toilets

  • Ground Floor – There are accessible toilets throughout the building and a dedicated spacious accessible toilet facility on the Ground Floor
  • First Floor – The Atkinson’s fully equipped Changing Places facility is fully lockable, has a floor space of 12 square meters and includes a H frame ceiling track hoist, a wall mounted height adjustable adult sized changing bench, a peninsular toilet, a height adjustable washbasin, a shower, a non-slip floor, a privacy screen, a paper roll and two emergency cords. www.changing-places.org
  • Second Floor – There are accessible toilets on the 2nd Floor

Contact

If you have further questions regarding accessibility, please contact Emma Harrison (Principal Manager: Access, Engagement & Enterprise), emma.harrison@sefton.gov.uk.