ACCESSIBILITY AT FACT

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

The Box is fully accessible and step free on a single level, with space for up to 8 wheelchair users. All seating is unallocated.

Our Box Office is fully accessible and is situated in the foyer. The cinema screens are situated on the top floor and are fully accessible via a lift, with wheelchair access in every screen. The FACT Café (not operated by Picturehouse) is on the ground floor and is fully accessible. The Picturehouse Bar on the first floor is fully accessible with access via a lift. The galleries on the ground and first floor are fully accessible. Accessible toilets are available on each floor.

All areas of the building are accessible to visitors with limited mobility, including wheelchair users. There is a lift serving all floors in the main foyer, to the left of the Tickets and Information Point. All screens and galleries are accessible by wheelchair. The Tickets and Information Point, kiosk and bars all have adapted counters and accessible levels for transactions.

In the event of a fire, the cinema has several disabled refuges. In Screens 1-3 the wheelchair spaces are near to the exit. In Screen 4 (The Box) exit via the screen entrance and then out of the main building foyer. If you would like to be made aware of the location of refuges when you arrive, please ask at the Box Office. Rescue authorities are well briefed on the layout of the building and the location of the refuge areas and your rescue will be a priority.

Accessible Toilets

There are fully accessible adapted toilets on the ground floor, on the second floor near the bar and Gallery 2, and on the third floor adjacent to Screen 2. There is an emergency call-point in each toilet should you need to summon a member of staff.

Parking

We do not have any parking facilities at the cinema, although there are a limited number of on-street disabled parking bays in the Ropewalks vicinity in addition to usual on-street parking. There are a number of independent car parks within a five minute walk of the cinema. Drop-offs are permitted outside the front door for customers with limited mobility.

Physical Access in our Screens

All screens are accessible to customers with limited mobility including wheelchair users. The cinema screens are situated on the top floor and are fully accessible via a lift, with wheelchair access and wheelchair spaces in every screen. Screen 4 (The Box) is situated on the ground floor with step free access. Wheelchair spaces are available in the following locations:

Screen 1: Row L, Seat L1
Screen 2: Row H, Seat H16
Screen 3: Row A, Seat A11
Screen 4: The Box is fully accessible and step free on a single level, with space for 2 wheelchair users. All seating is unallocated.

If you wish to book a wheelchair space, please mention this if you book over the phone or in person. Alternatively, you can contact us at [email protected] and we can ensure that space is kept free for you.

Aisles in our screens are located on each side of every row:
Screen 1: aisles are located next to seats 1, and the following seats: A22, B22, C23, D23, E24, F24, G24, H25, I25, J26 and K26
Screen 2: aisles are located next to seats 1 and 18
Screen 3: aisles are located next to seats 1 and 13
Screen 4 (The Box): aisles are located next to every seat.

We have sofa seating in Screen 4 (The Box). There are 25 2-seater sofas laid out in a grid in five rows of five. Each side of the sofa has an immovable armrest with an integrated cup holder.

All seats in Screens 1-3 have immovable arm rests, and chairs are fixed together.

The distance of the aisles between seats – from the front of one row of seats to the back of another – is approximately 1.1m. The distance of the aisles between seats – from the front of one row of seats to the back of another – is approximately 50cm wide. The seat base and back are approx 48cm wide; 69cm wide including arm rests.

The sofa seats base and back are approx 97cm wide; 1.17m wide including arm rests. These are sold as two separate seats.

Screen Sizes and Capacities

Screen 1
No. of seats: 255
No. of wheelchair spaces: 1
Able to run with audio description? Yes
Screen dimensions: 11.4m x 5m

Screen 2
No. of seats: 137
No. of wheelchair spaces: 1
Able to run with audio description? Yes
Screen dimensions: 10.7m x 4.6m

Screen 3
No. of seats: 97
No. of wheelchair spaces: 1
Able to run with audio description? Yes
Screen dimensions: 7m x 3.2m

Screen 4 (The Box)
No. of seats: 50
No. of wheelchair spaces: 0
Able to run with audio description? Yes
Screen dimensions: 6.85m x 2.85m

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.

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.

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 7 days a week where possible. 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.

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.

Our stair rails have bumps on the side to indicate the number of steps approaching each level. Three bumps mean that you are on the third step from the landing, two that you are on the second step, and one that you are on the final step.

The lift is fitted with tactile aids. It has a telephone should you need to contact a member of staff in an emergency.

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

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 for films 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.

Please note: It is recommended to sit in the front 6 rows of Screen 1 to get the best reception for this service.

Assistance Dogs

Guide/Assistance dogs are welcome at the FACT Centre. If you wish to take a dog into a performance, please let us know when booking so we can arrange an aisle seat. Alternatively, your dog can be cared for by a member of staff for the duration of the performance. Our staff 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.    

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.