Accessibility at Middlesbrough Town Hall

We’re committed to making your visit to Middlesbrough Town Hall as welcoming and comfortable as possible.

Our spaces

There are a number of different public spaces in the Town Hall.

The building is wheelchair accessible, and has step-free access from street level. The main entrance to the Town Hall is via Albert Road. An additional public entrance is located on Dunning Street.

There are a number of accessible toilet facilities in the building, as well as a baby changing facility.

The majority of spaces are accessible by lift. The only spaces which are not served by lifts are the balcony and gallery in the Main Hall. However the stalls area of the Main Hall is served by lift and is fully wheelchair accessible.

You can also find out more about the spaces below.

The Box Office and cafe/bar are on the ground floor, with step free access.

The Box Office and cafe/bar have lowered counter sections for wheelchair access.

Accessible toilets are available outside the Fire Station.

Watch a video of how to reach the Carriage Driveway:

The Fire Station is on the ground floor, with step free access.

Accessible toilets are available outside the Fire Station.

Watch a video of how to reach the Fire Station:

The Main Hall is on the first floor, with lift access.

Accessible toilets are available within 40m.

For seated performances – allocated accessible spaces are provided towards the front of the hall.

For standing performances – a viewing platform is provided to the back left of the hall. The platform is accessed via a ramp, and is staffed by a steward throughout the performance. The space is also open to an accompanying carer.

Watch a video of how to reach the Main Hall:

The Courtroom is on the first floor, with lift access.

Accessible toilets are available within 10m.

Accessible viewing areas are available for both seated and standing events.

Watch a video of how to reach the Courtroom:

The Studio is on the first floor, with lift access.

Accessible toilets are available within 5 to 15m.

The Studio has stepped access, with a lift also available in the room.

Watch a video of how to reach the Studio:

The Crypt is on the lower ground floor, with lift access.

Accessible toilets are available within 5m of the viewing area.

When the space is set up for a standing or seated performance, the accessible viewing area is located at the front of the stage.

Watch a video of how to reach the Crypt:

The police cells are on the lower ground floor, with lift access.

Accessible toilets are not reachable from the police cells. The closest accessible toilets are on the ground floor, outside the Fire Station. These are accessible by lift.

The floor of the police cells is mostly flat, but there may be some unevenness.

Watch a video of how to reach the police cells:

We have an interactive screen opposite the Box Office which gives access information for each of our public spaces, and lets you watch a video of someone walking the route to your chosen space.

You and your companion are also welcome to visit in advance to familiarise yourselves with the layout of the venue. Please ask about an advance visit when you make your booking.

Personal Assistant tickets

A free Personal Assistant ticket is available for guests who need help from someone else to be able to access our venue, and evacuate safely if needed.

Please ask for a companion ticket when you make your booking. Unfortunately you cannot currently book Personal Assistant tickets online.

Personal Assistant tickets are offered at our discretion, so we’ll need to see proof that you’re entitled to one.

Once we’ve seen your evidence, it will be stored on our booking system for 12 months (or 6 months if you’ve shown us a doctor’s note). This means you won’t have to provide the evidence every time you make a booking.

Proof of eligibility

Any of these will make you automatically eligible for a free Personal Assistant ticket, in addition to your own ticket:

  • a letter from the local authority confirming receipt of disability allowance
  • local authority disability pass (this does not include Blue Badges)
  • local authority visual impairment card
  • disability rail card
  • doctor’s note (valid for 6 months)
  • CEA Card

We understand that not everyone with an access requirement will have one of the forms of evidence listed above. If you don’t have evidence, but would still like to apply for a free Personal Assistant ticket, please contact us. We assess everyone’s needs on a case-by-case basis.

Large print programmes and running times

Large print programmes or running times are available. Please let us know in advance (at the time of booking if possible).

Hearing loops

Induction hearing loops are available in all spaces apart from the Fire Station and foyer. A portable hearing loop is available at the Box Office.

Assistance dogs

Assistance dogs are welcome. Please let us know in advance (at the time of booking if possible).

Strobe lighting

If strobe lighting is used in one of our shows, we’ll make this clear by displaying posters next to all of the main entrances and exits.

Where we can, we’ll highlight the use of strobes in our printed and online programmes.

Access platform

For standing events in the Main Hall, we have a platform with ramp access for 7 wheelchairs and 7 seats for Personal Assistants.

Access platform in the Main Hall View of the Main Hall stage from the access platform

You can download our full access guide for more detailed information about the venue and services available.

If you have any further access requirements, or any questions about to the accessibility of Middlesbrough Town Hall, please contact the Access Co-ordinator Kesia Bruce, by calling 01642 729729 or emailing venueaccess@middlesbrough.gov.uk.

Our postal address is: Middlesbrough Town Hall, Albert Road, Middlesbrough, TS1 2QJ.

We aim to respond to all queries within 24 hours.

Improving Deaf and disabled people’s access to live music

Middlesbrough Town Hall is signed up to Attitude is Everything’s Charter of Best Practice. We’ve been awarded a silver award for the work we’ve already done to improve Deaf and disabled people’s access to live music.

Find out more about the Charter of Best Practice.