Access

Access customers at Chetham’s are now able to book online!

Chetham’s welcomes all audience members, including those who may need additional support with their booking or visit. By letting us know about your requirements, we can help you to access suitable seating, request companion seats or plan any other aspects of your visit.

During your visit, please do not hesitate to approach any staff member for assistance or guidance.

Access Scheme

Before requesting a free seat for an essential companion, we ask you to join our Access Scheme. As a member of the scheme, you will be able to make your own bookings online if you wish to do so, including booking free seats for a Personal Assistant or reserving one of our wheelchair spaces. Of course, we’re always happy to assist with bookings or amend your account set up if you prefer to speak to us in person.

To join the Access Scheme:

  • Download and complete the form, and return it to us by post, in person or by email.
  • Email boxoffice@stollerhall.com to receive the questions on the form by email.
  • Visit us in person, or call us on 0333 130 0967 (lines open from 2-4pm, Monday to Friday) and our Box Office staff will complete the form with you.
  • You will be asked to provide a copy, or show an original, of one of the following in order to automatically verify your membership of the scheme:
    • Front page of DLA / PIP (no specific rate)
    • Front page of Attendance Allowance letter (no specific rate)
    • Evidence that registered severely sight impaired (blind)
    • Recognised Assistance Dog ID card
    • Credability’s Access Card
  • If you don’t have access to any of the above, please provide any other evidence, such as a GP or carer’s letter, or a registration card for support groups, public services or other networks. This evidence will be reviewed on a case by case basis which may take up to 3 working days; we suggest making any application in good time prior to any event you wish to attend, so that we can best support your attendance.

Personal assistants

Anyone who requires assistance to fully enjoy their visit to The Stoller Hall may request a free seat for a personal assistant. It is assumed that this companion will take primary responsibility for your support during your visit, although staff will do their utmost to provide guidance and additional assistance.

When you tell us that you require a personal assistant, we will update your account so that you will always be able to book one free seat next to you, wherever in the Hall is most suitable for you to sit.

Wheelchair users and physical access  

The Stoller Hall, Carole Nash Hall and all spaces within Chetham’s new building are fully accessible, with lifts and disabled toilet facilities on every floor. Spaces are available for wheelchair users on both Stalls and Balcony level.

If you are a wheelchair user but prefer to transfer to a standard seat during the concert, please choose the appropriate option when you register for the scheme. If ever you’d like to change this, whether it’s for a one off visit or for the future, just give us a call or drop us an email and we’ll get things ready for you.

The main entrance on Hunts Bank is accessible by ramp, and the doors are activated electronically. The journey from disabled parking spaces at Q Park Manchester Deansgate is approximately 400m, up a relatively steep incline. There are closer disabled parking spaces on Hunts Bank outside Victoria Station, but these tend to be in high demand.

The BAT bar in the Oglesby Atrium has a low level counter position, as does our Box Office.

Row R of Stalls and Row A of Balcony are entirely level, with other parts of Stalls accessible via a slight incline with handrail. For concerts where the extended stage is not in use, Row E of Stalls offers additional leg room. More detail on seating areas is available here.

Wheelchairs and walking frames must be stored outside the auditorium. Please ask a staff member to guide you to an appropriate space. Staff will, where possible, assist with moving equipment and returning it to you at the end of the concert; however, we cannot take responsibility for electronic or cumbersome equipment. Due to the various demands during a public event we cannot guarantee that staff will be available to assist, and free seats for personal assistants are offered on the assumption that these companions will take primary responsibility for supporting your visit.

Occasionally, we will promote events in the Baronial Hall and Chetham’s medieval buildings. These spaces were built in 1421 and are accessed via cobbles, with limited facilities for disabled visitors. Please contact us if you require any guidance. Access to Chetham’s Library is only possible via a flight of 18 steps.

Visually impaired visitors

Tactile wayfinding signage is used throughout The Stoller Hall.

Assistance animals are welcome at all events. We recommend contacting us so that we can guide you to a suitable seat. Dog mats for the auditorium and a water bowl (for use in the Atrium only) are available from the Box Office and may be reserved at the time of booking.

Download our What’s On guide in large print.  This format is also suitable for Kindle e-readers.

Email us to request a What’s On guide in ePub form, suitable for most other e-readers.

Hearing impaired visitors

A Sennheiser infra-red hearing system is installed in The Stoller Hall. Stethoscope style receivers can be collected from the Box Office and may be reserved at the time of booking.

Assistance animals are welcome at all events. We recommend contacting us so that we can guide you to a suitable seat. Dog mats for the auditorium and a water bowl (for use in the Atrium only) are available from the Box Office and may be reserved at the time of booking.

Earplugs are available free of charge from the Box Office for any customers who wish to use them.

We regret that there is no amplification system in the Carole Nash Hall.

Toilet facilities

Accessible toilets and baby change facilities are available on every floor.

Larger, mixed gender cubicles are available on the ground floor (Atrium level) and mezzanine level (up one flight of stairs). These are available to the general public but may be particularly convenient for families with young children, or for customers who prefer not to use gendered facilities.