ACCESSIBILITY AT CHESTER PICTUREHOUSE

This page explains the current facilities for people with disabilities and is intended to assist you in planning your visit. If you can't find your answer here, reach out to us on our dedicated accessibility line at 02072 947908 (Text Relay call 18001 02072 947908. Check out the Relay UK app for more details). The helpline is open Monday to Sunday, 10am to 6pm, every day except Christmas Day.

Advance Booking

Booking in advance online or by telephone is always a good idea – this means that our staff can readily provide any assistance you require. We're happy to reserve wheelchair spaces or seats for any particular part of the auditorium if this is helpful for customers with disabilities and accompanying carers are eligible for a free ticket. If you have any questions about your booking, we have a dedicated accessibility line: reach out on 02072 947 908 (Text Relay call 18001 02072 947908).

Physical Access Around the Cinema

Our café-bar and accessible toilet are on the first floor and are accessible to customers with limited mobility, including wheelchair users. Cinema screens, our kiosk and bar are on the second floor, accessible via two customer lifts.

Physical Access In Our Screens

Screens 1-5 are located on the third floor and are accessible to customers with limited mobility via a lift situated behind our concession counter. Screen 6 is located on the second floor, and is accessible via our main lift. All screens have dedicated wheelchair space, available in the following locations:

Screen 1: Row J, Seats WC1 & WC2 , WC3 & WC4
Screen 2: Row G, Seats WC1 & WC2
Screen 3: Row J Seats WC1 & WC2
Screen 4: Row G Seats WC1 & WC2
Screen 5: Row G Seats WC1 & WC2
Screen 6: Row E Seats WC1 & WC2

Aisles in our screens are located on each side of every row:

Screen 1: aisles are located next to seats 1 and 21
Screen 2: aisles are located next to seats 1 and 20
Screen 3: aisles are located next to seats 1 and 16
Screen 4: aisles are located between seats 1 and 12
Screen 5: aisles are located next to seats 1 and 11
Screen 6: aisles are located next to seats 1 and 10

All seats have immovable arm rests, and chairs are fixed together. The width of our auditoria steps is 1.3m. The distance of the aisles between seats – from the front of one row of seats to the back of another – is approximately 60cm wide. The seat base and back are approx 46cm wide; 69cm wide including arm rests.

Accessible Toilets and Changing Places

Accessible toilets are located on the first and second floor. A nearby Changing Places can be found in the Northgate Market and includes a toilet, an adjustable height wash hand basin, a hoist supporting up to 200kg and allowing movement across the whole room, a shower with shower seat, a mobile changing bench and a shelf for colostomy bags.

Parking

The most convenient parking is available at the Northgate Market Car Park.

Customers With Hearing Impairment

Customers with hearing impairments can request a set of headphones from the box office staff that will amplify the film soundtrack. We show subtitled (captioned) screenings each week, these will be clearly marked in the listings.

Audio Description

Audio Description (AD) is a narrated soundtrack where the action, scene changes and the actors' body language is described for people with sight loss. This additional soundtrack is broadcast through wireless headsets so only the wearer can hear it, and fits within the silent gaps in a film so it doesn't interfere with the dialogue. Headsets are available to borrow at the box office.

AD is available in all screens for every film where an AD track has been created (most films do have an AD track, but not all). To find out if a performance is available with Audio Description, please check the film listings on our website where they are clearly identified, ask a member of staff at the cinema, or contact the Accessibility Helpline.

Customers With Visual Impairment

Audio Description will be provided for all screenings where it is available (not all films come with an AD track). Screenings that have Audio Description will have an "AD" logo under the film time on our website. In order to use this service you will require a headset which you can get by speaking to any member of staff.

We are happy to offer Large Print versions of our weekly listings flyer on request.

Subtitled (Captioned) Screenings

We offer regular Subtitled (Captioned) screenings, which provide a transcription of the audio from a film, displayed at the bottom of the cinema screen. Along with the dialogue from the film, the subtitles include non-dialogue audio such as "(sighs)" or "(door creaks)". Subtitled screenings are programmed 5 days a week, once a day Sundays through to Thursdays. Please note that not all films are provided with a Subtitled (Captioned) track, so some weeks we may have fewer subtitled screenings as a result.

Hearing Loops/Induction Loops

We have hearing loops at all counters to aid interaction between staff and customers who use hearing aids. The hearing loop helps to amplify the spoken word and limit background noise which might otherwise be picked up by the hearing aid. To use the loop system, switch your hearing aid to the 'T' setting or loop program. No other equipment is needed.

Assistance Dogs

Guide dogs are welcome at Chester Picturehouse. If you wish to take a dog into a performance, please let us know when booking so we can arrange an aisle seat. We will be happy to provide drinking water for your dog.

Relaxed Screenings

Relaxed screenings are specially designed to make cinema-going easier and more accessible to those who may need additional support when they visit. These screenings are ideal for neurodivergent audiences of all ages, those living with dementia, and their families, friends, and carers, but all are welcome.

Relaxed screenings will show films without adverts or trailers. Lights are left on low, the volume is reduced, and the audience is free to move around and take breaks from the screen whenever needed.

We typically show:        
A new release every second Monday of the month    
A family-friendly film every third Sunday of the month
A classic film every last Friday of the month (with interval)

Whilst we do our best to ensure these screenings happen consistently, please note that on occasion the regular slot may change. Make sure to check local listings ahead of your screening.

General Enquiries

Find out more about booking a free carer place with a CEA card, our dedicated Accessibility Helpline, and our Relaxed screenings at www.picturehouses.com/accessibility.