BOILER SHOP advocates equality of opportunity for people with disabilities; taking the necessary steps to meet their requirements.
We strive to make all our shows accessible to everyone and we work hard to make sure things keep improving. Our venue was built in the early 1800s, so there are challenges, but together we can identify issues and come up with practical solutions. Your feedback is always welcome and we’ll do our best to be as flexible as possible to meet your needs.
This guide is designed to inform everybody who comes to Boiler Shop what we can offer to assist customers who may have particular requirements.
If you are d/Deaf or disabled and have a specific access requirement, our Access Form helps us provide the best experience, whenever you visit.
By registering and answering a few questions, we’ll be able to assist you with your booking – and keep it on file for next time you book.
Download the form from this page to print at home or complete online: if you need support with your application, please get in touch with us via email: access@boilershop.net or telephone: 0191 600 3132.
Once you’re registered, you’ll also be able to get complimentary Personal Assistant (PA) tickets when you come to see a show at Boiler Shop.
If you would like to request complimentary PA tickets, we need one of the below documents as part of your application for proof of eligibility:
☐ Front page of DLA/PIP Letter (no specific rate required)
☐ Front page of Attendance Allowance letter (no specific rate required)
☐ Front page of War Disablement Pension
☐ Evidence that registered severely sight impaired (blind)
☐ Recognised Assistance Dog ID card
☐ Credibility Access Card (+1 requirement stated)
We recognise that the evidence requested might not include everyone that has an access requirement. If you don’t have any of the evidence mentioned in the form, complete the Access Requirement Form explaining why you need a PA. Applications will be assessed on a case-by-case basis – please get in touch if you have any questions.
Once we have received your application, we commit to processing it within 10 working days. Following this, we will send you a private link to purchase your accessible ticket, and allocate you a complimentary companion ticket if required.
Please ensure you send photocopies, not originals, as your documents will be securely destroyed once your application has been processed. If you are sending by email, you can scan your documents and send as an attachment.
Please note the Access Form does not guarantee a seat or space on the access bay; please get in touch with us before you buy your tickets so we can advise you if there are spaces available.
All accessible ticket requirements should be purchased through us directly please: read here for more information on booking 'accessible' tickets: https://www.boilershop.net/accessibility/tickets
We’ll do our best to make it as smooth a process as possible for you.
If you have accessibility requirements and wish to attend a show at Boiler Shop, please CONTACT THE VENUE FIRST to see if there's space in the accessible viewing area before booking. We will send you an Access Form to complete, and a private ticket link to purchase a ticket. Let us know you've done that by sending us the completed form and ticket reference number, we will then provide you with an allocated space in the accessible viewing area and a complimentary companion ticket if you require one.
Please note, the space is limited and on a first come, first served basis. We have space for four wheelchairs plus six seats.
Due to health & safety reasons, we do not allow wheelchairs or motorised scooters / vehicles on the dance floor. If you have not reserved a space on the accessible bay, unfortunately we may not be able to accommodate you in the venue.
If you require Accessibility tickets and these are no longer available, please do not purchase a General Admission ticket and expect to be accommodated as these will be refused. This is a strict policy to make sure the venue is safe for all customers.
People with accessibility requirements may need to have someone with them. We offer a 2 for 1 Ticket Policy for personal assistants.
This arrangement is made through the venue and not the ticketing agencies, please contact us at access@boilershop.net for more details. Aside from this we do not offer a reduced rate ticket price. The service we offer is of equal quality to all our customers so a discount is not necessary.
If you would like a companion ticket, please provide us with some supporting documentation alongside your booking reference. This documentation is required to obtain a free Companion ticket and will help us plan to ensure your experience with us is accessible.
We ask for one of the below documents although we do understand that not all Customers will have what we are looking for. Please contact the venue if you have
any questions regarding these documents:
• DLA/PIP (front cover only with any financial information hidden)
• Medical Professional’s Letter
• Visually/Hearing Impaired Card
Please note that Companions are advised that they must be able to assist you in the event of an emergency.
Seats for Companions will be allocated if space permits; alternatively Companions will be allocated space to stand on or near the access bay.
Please note, this excludes meet and greets or VIP packages.
At present, we are only open when there is an event running. Please check the calendar to confirm we are open.
Large-print running times for our events are available at the box office on the day of the show – please get in touch if you’d like this emailed to you in advance.
Boiler Shop is situated behind Newcastle Central station, approx. 480 metres away.
There’s no dedicated accessible parking; the nearest car park is Stephenson Quarter Car Park (Forth Banks, Newcastle Upon-Tyne, NE1 3PH), located 400 metres away. If you are arriving to the venue by taxi, you can get dropped off on South Street, just a few metres from the front door.
We'd like to remind Blue Badge Holders that unfortunately parking is not allowed on South Street. There's an active taxi rank on one side of the road, so parking here would narrow access both for taxis and emergency vehicles.
Upon arrival at the venue, there will be door staff who will greet you and direct you to the viewing area. If you require early entry into the venue as part of your access needs, please let us know in advance, and we can arrange this for you.
The entertainment space and bar area are located on the ground floor. Once inside, there are no steps and easy access to the Mezzanine via lift.
If you have any questions, you can ask our friendly door staff or Box Office team, they’re on hand to help. There is plenty of room in the space so moving through crowds shouldn’t be a problem, but if you do have any early entrance requirements please get in touch.
If you have bought tickets in advance for an event then these can also be collected at the Box Office.
The entertainment space and bar area are located on the ground floor. Once inside, there are no steps and easy access to the Mezzanine via lift.
The venue is all standing, and there's a raised viewing area to the right of the stage. As you come into the venue and the main space, you’ll find the accessible area on the right-hand side. If you wish to make use of the viewing area, please contact us in advance to arrange this. Upon your arrival, security will show you to the viewing area; seats are available in the viewing area for both customers and their PAs on a first come, first served basis and should be booked in advance. The chairs are supportive, comfortable and stable. Please note, these chairs don’t have any arm rests.
There is an accessible toilet available 5 metres from the accessible viewing area. If you require assistance to get to the toilet, please let a member of staff know, who will be happy to help.
The smoking area is located next to the main entrance. If a person using a wheelchair wants to go outside to smoke, security will escort them outside.
We use strobe and flashing lighting in the venue and if you need further information about this please get in touch: access@boilershop.net
ACCESSIBLE TOILETS
Within the venue, we have an accessible toilet. This is located near the entrance, on the ground floor on the left-hand side.
ACCESSIBLE BAR
We do not have an accessible bar however we will provide a bartender if required.
INDUCTION LOOP
Boiler Shop has induction loops in the auditorium. For more information please speak to a manager.
RESPITE SPACE
We have a Mezzanine area (accessible via lift) separated from the main space, which can double as a quiet space for anyone who requests it.
LARGE GROUPS
We try and accommodate everyone’s requirements. If someone has accessibility requirements and is with a large group of people we will try and keep the group together, however it may not be in the designated accessible viewing area. Large groups are strongly encouraged to contact us in advance to make arrangements.
EVACUATION POLICY
All our security are trained to know how to assist disabled customers in case of emergency. We have a refuge point in the Mezzanine; on the ground floor customers are asked to leave by the nearest exit.
DEAF AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED CUSTOMERS
Visually impaired customers are more than welcome to use the accessible viewing area if they would like to. Deaf or hard of hearing customers are also more than welcome to stand at the front of the gig and security are aware of this.
CUSTOMERS WITH MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS
If you need to bring any medicines, food or drink to manage a medical condition, or medical equipment you are welcome to do so. We don’t have any medical equipment at the venue. Please inform the manager on duty when you arrive before going through search.
There is a fridge available to store any medicines; if you’d like to use it, please ask to speak to the manager on duty when you arrive to the venue.
ASSISTANCE DOGS
Guide and hearing assistance dogs are welcome, just be sure to let us know when you book.
We can discuss suitable locations where your dog can stay throughout the show. Alternatively, if you would like your dog to be looked after, we'll arrange for someone to meet you at the entrance and guide you to your allocated seat on the access bay. Dogs will be looked after throughout the event in a quiet location with somewhere to lay with a bowl of water.
*We recommend bringing hearing protection for your dog.
ACCESS TO PERFORMANCE
Unless otherwise stated at the moment we do not have additional access systems to performances, such as:
* Infrared or mobile connect systems
* British Sign Language
* Captioning
* Audio Description Relaxed Performances
The stage is directly accessible from the outside via a ramp through the load in bay. Currently there is no level access to the dressing room area.
Alex McCabe
Email (preferred) – access@boilershop.net
Phone – 0191 300 6162
Postal – 20 South Street, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 3PE
Response time – Someone will be able to respond within 5 days.
