ACCESSIBILITY AT PICTUREHOUSE CENTRAL

Accessibility at Picturehouse Central

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

All areas of the building are accessible to wheelchair users The entrance to the building, which is on ground level, is step free. There is a lift to take you to the first, second, third and fourth floors for access to the screens and Members' Bar.

Physical Access in our Screens

Screen 1
No. of seats: 341
No. of wheelchair spaces: 6
Able to run with audio description? No
Screen dimensions: W 13.9m x H 6m

Screen 2
No. of seats: 177
No. of wheelchair spaces: 2
Able to run with audio description? Yes
Screen dimensions: W 11.5m x H 5m

Screen 3
No. of seats: 126
No. of wheelchair spaces: 2
Able to run with audio description? Yes
Screen dimensions: W 6.4m x H 3.5m

Screen 4
No. of seats: 127
No. of wheelchair spaces: 2
Able to run with audio description? Yes
Screen dimensions W 10m x H 4.3m

Screen 5
No. of seats: 82
No. of wheelchair spaces:1
Able to run with audio description? No
Screen dimensions: W 7.6m x H 3.2m

Screen 6
No. of seats: 78
No. of wheelchair spaces: 1
Able to run with audio description? No
Screen dimensions: W 6.4m x 2.7m

Screen 7
No. of seats: 65
No. of wheelchair spaces: 2
Able to run with audio description? Yes
Screen dimensions: W 7.6m x 3.2m

All screens are accessible by wheelchair and have wheelchair spaces.

Currently, there is no wheelchair access to any of the stages for guest speakers. Screens 1, 2, 4 and 7 have stages without wheelchair access. Screen 1's stage stairs have a handrail.

Screen 1: 6 wheelchair spaces.
Screen 2, 3, 4, & 7: 2 wheelchair spaces.
Screen 5 & 6: 1 wheelchair space

Wheelchair spaces are located:
Screen 1: Row G, Seats 2, 4, 6, 24, 26 and 28
Screen 2: Row J, Seats 2, 4 and 5
Screen 3: Row G, Seats 3 and 5
Screen 4: Row F, Seats 3 and 16
Screen 5: Row E, Seat 3
Screen 6: Row F, Seat 10
Screen 7: Row F, Seats 2 and 10

Aisles in our screens are located on each side of every row and in some of the screens, across the middle of the auditorium.
Screen 1: aisles are located next to seats 1 and 28, and A16, B24, C25, D26, E17, F27
Screen 2: aisles are located next to seats 1 and 18, and J17
Screen 3: aisles are located next to seats 1 and B-F13, A12, G11, H-J12.
Screen 4: aisles are located next to seats 1 and 19, and G16
Screen 5: aisles are located next to seats 1 and 14, and E12
Screen 6: aisles are located next to seats 10 and 11, and A9
Screen 7: aisles are located next to seats 11

Sofa seats are double seats with no armrest in between. These are sold as two seats and are located:
Screen 1: N1+2 in pairs through to N27+28, F1+2, F3+4, F24+25, F26+27, E1+2, E3+4, E26+27
Screen 2: K1+2 in pairs through to K15+16
Screen 3: K1+2 in pairs through to K13+14
Screen 4: G1+2 in pairs through to G15+16
Screen 5: F1+2 in pairs through to F13+14
Screen 6: G1+2 in pairs through to G9+10, B11+12, C11+12, D11+12, E11+12
Screen 7: F3+4, F5+6, F7+8

All seats have immovable arm rests, and chairs are fixed together.

In Screens 1 and 2, the distance of the aisles between seats – from the front of one row of seats to the back of another – is approximately 1.3m. 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 46-48cm wide plus arm rests.

The sofa seats base and back are approx 46cm wide; 69cm wide including arm rests. These are sold as two separate seats.

In Screens 3 - 7, the distance of the aisles between seats – from the front of one row of seats to the back of another – is approximately 1.3m. 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 46-48cm wide plus arm rests.

The sofa seats base and back are approx 46cm wide; 69cm wide including arm rests. These are sold as two separate seats.

Accessible Toilets

There are wheelchair accessible toilets on the ground floor, the first floor, in the Members' Bar, and on the top floor. Each accessible toilet has an emergency red cord. 

Parking

The cinema has no dedicated parking spaces and there is no parking available nearby.

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, and not all our screens are able to play AD tracks). 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.

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.

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 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.

Assistance Dogs

If you wish to take your guide dog or service dog into a performance, please let us know when booking so that we can arrange an aisle seat. Our staff will be happy to provide drinking water for your dog.

General Enquiries

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