Scunthorpe theatre’s ambition to be accessible to all

Scunthorpe’s largest live entertainment venue, The Baths Hall, has been recognised for its commitment in becoming a place that is accessible and welcoming to all

The popular venue that welcomes thousands of people each year has been awarded the status of a Bronze Level venue on the Attitude Is Everything Charter.

Since signing up to the charter last year, a dedicated team at The Baths Hall in partnership with the Attitude Is Everything (AIE) organisation has worked to a detailed action plan to help them review and improve all areas of their customer and artist experience at the venue.

With an ambition to ensure all customers, artists, and visitors to the venue feel welcomed and looked after, they have reviewed and implemented several changes.

A snapshot of the changes include providing accessibility signage throughout the building, a dedicated sensory/quiet space, headsets, and a full review of the venue’s access procedures.

Developments have also been made to the information that is provided on the website, the process of booking tickets and they have worked their way through the customer experience and journey within their venue.

These changes aim to make it easier for those with mobility problems, vision or hearing difficulties, neurodivergent conditions and other accessibility needs, to attend events at the venue.

The Baths Hall journey so far has been a vast, eyeopening learning experience for all venue staff and one which will continue as they aim to achieve Gold Level status.

Attitude Is Everything (AIE) is an organisation which supports professionals, organisations and venues in the live entertainment sector, to better understand and improve their access provisions and policies.

Alex Covell, Live Events Access Manager for Attitude Is Everything said: “Congratulations to The Baths Hall in joining the Live Events Access Charter as a Bronze Venue!

“It has been fantastic to work with them and see the development of practice across their site, website and with the knowledge in the staffing team.

“It’s clear that inclusive practice is integrated across the whole organisation, and I can’t wait to see how they continue to offer a welcoming and engaging environment for their deaf, disabled and neurodivergent workforce, artists, and audiences.”

It is through small ripples that big waves are created and the staff at The Baths Hall are delighted to be part of the change towards how the live entertainment industry can break down barriers.

The hope is that more and more touring artists, productions and professionals in the industry will follow suit and ensure they are offering the best possible accessibility to their customers.

Scunthorpe Theatres are asking local residents what type of events and activities they would like to see being offered at both The Baths Hall and Plowright Theatre.

The feedback received will help shape their future programme.